My amazing daughter – Anne Ranae!

Today was Annie’s school conference. Ammon and I went to the 8am meeting with her teacher expectant of a great report card to bring home. What we received was not only a “great” report card, but the knowledge that Annie is excelling in all academic areas and is a "joy to have in class.” 

Her teacher, Mrs. Hansen is amazing!  I truly appreciate her passion for teaching and her ability to see Annie as an individual and challenge her to be even better!  I know that we have good teachers at our school…but I have really been impressed with Mrs.Hansen’s ability to see my daughter…her strengths and her weaknesses and then work to encourage the most growth from her!  Annie’s reading level was recently tested at a 6.5 grade level. Her math and spelling abilities are well beyond 3rd grade level. Annie’s writing level is advanced and yet this is the area that Mrs. Hansen would like to see her grow as the year goes on. 

For the last year Annie has been writing stories, modeled from the “Pigeon” books by Mo Willems. She loves those books and has created quite amazing stories while in school and at home. Her creativity and humor is quite sophisticated for her age. However, the writing is very simplistic and set in a comic type setting. A great style to write in…and yet Mrs. Hansen feels it’s time to move on from this genre to more narrative writing. However, I would like to share her Thanksgiving painting with you: During the conference Mrs. Hansen also expressed appreciation for Annie. She is helpful in class, she cares deeply for others, she is sensitive and kind!  We learned that she is quite the talker and sometimes has to be reminded to raise her hand and wait to be called on before sharing her thoughts with the entire class (Mommy can understand this problem…I seem to remember having a problem with that when I was in school too).

I am so proud of Annie! She is an amazing student! I know she always gives her best and works hard. She is sensitive and sweet! She is strong and determined to learn! God has definitely given her some amazing gifts and it will be awesome to see what she will accomplish and become in the years ahead!

OK…so here is a sidenote:

I think as my children grow I see myself so much more like my own Dad. We often laugh because he is so blind to any faults in his children. He only sees the incredible strengths they possess and the accomplishments they achieve as incredibly significant (enough to share with anyone who will listen). Hmmm. That sounds like me.

Growing up, I have to say that the knowledge that my Dad not only believed in me, but was outwardly proud of me, helped grow me into a confident individual. It allowed me to try things that I might even fail at..but I was encouraged to try. He always believed his kids could accomplish anything!  This was a HUGE gift to me! I never worried about disappointing my Dad…because as long as I gave my best I knew he would be proud with the outcome!  Yes…even “C’s” in math were OK…because he knew I had done my best…he often would say, “You have to be average in something!”

Nathan and Annie are the most amazing children! I love them, want the best for them and completely believe that they can do anything they put their minds to!

Nathan’s Thanksgiving Program

Sonshine School – Preschool – 4’s in Mrs. Brown’s class

Grandma and Grandpa came to Nathan’s first school performance.  Big sister Annie was very proud of her brother!

 

Nathan really did not want to really be in front of all the kids and their families. As I was putting him in bed last night I was telling him how excited I was about coming to see his Thanksgiving program at school. He replied, “Mom I am just too shy to be in front of people.” I told him not to worry and just do his best…the program would be a fun chance to show us what songs he had learned in class this year.

So today when we went to the program I didn’t know what to expect. Nathan filed in with the rest of his class. He chose not to look out at the crowd…but would shyly steal a quick look to see where we were at. He stood as close to the back of the wall as possible. No smiles (or at least very few). I have to say I was very impressed with the fact that he knew all the words to the songs he sang…but rarely did the motions that went along with them.

Nathan is my quiet, shy boy…at least in social settings…and that’s OK.

Nathan’s class!

Holiday Dinner

A beautiful luncheon at Salem Alliance Church.  Each table was decorated differently by women in the church. This year Kendra and I hosted a table together. It was so much fun to do something like this with Kendra. Having her in Oregon now we will get to do a lot more of these types of events. VERY FUN. Mom and Laura came. We also had Nathan’s Hearts at Home Teacher, Patti at our table. Amber and Kat were the other women that joined us. We had a fun and enjoyable time together eating great food, hearing a fabulous program that included a drama, musical ensemble and speaker, Wendy Ferrin.

Truly Blessed!

I AM BLESSED! Not lucky…TRULY BLESSED!

Life is good!  I am so blessed to be a mom to two amazing children. I love that I am best friends with my husband! I am grateful for the “things” that I have. I am surrounded by family that loves me and cares for me. I have an incredible spiritual heritage that has been passed to me from generations past…and I am trying to do my best to pass on to my children. I have amazing friends ! Women in my life that make me think, challenge me and drive me to be better. I am part of an incredible church and have a relationship with Christ that is growing (even though sometimes I feel its one step forward, two steps back). 

As I reflect on the ways that God has blessed me…I look forward to this Thanksgiving!  I AM THANKFUL!  The craziness, sicknesses, struggles and day to day mundane tasks of meal preparation and piles laundry often cloud this truth. But really…I AM THANKFUL!

Watching the cutest nephews ever!

Reading books, playing Legos and Toy Story characters!  Garrett, Micah and Aunt Rochelle had a very fun morning together today! 

 

Garrett kept wondering where Nathan was…but enjoyed his time to build his own creations without the “help” of his cousin.

  Definately a “poser.” Micah loved smiling for the camera! 

Today was fun to see both boys…both with such unique and different personalities!

My Little Ballerina – Recital

Annie had her first ballet recital at the Kroc Center. She amazed us with her precision and grace…of course! 

Annie had a short time where she did a solo performance (during what her teacher called circle time). In the picture above she was finishing and getting ready to give the “ballerina bow.” 

Annie is doing position one (above)  during her ballet dance performance, led by Miss Allison. Below is her “swishes.”

Annie had quite the support at her first ballet recital! Aunt Kendra, Grandma Sherrill, Grandpa Gordie, Aunt Laura and of course, Mom, Dad and Nathan!

An Afternoon of Favorite Things…

Friends, Chinese food, A Veggie movie and chocolate chip cookies!

Nathan invited his friend Erin over today! We went to lunch together at our favorite Chinese Restaurant and ate ourselves silly. Nathan tried Pot Stickers for the first time (Erin’s favorite) and Erin tried Crab Puffs for the first time (Nathan’s favorite). I had my favorite…Garlic Chicken Asparagus.

After Chinese, we came home…Nathan picked out one of his favorite movies to share with Erin. “The Pirates Who Don’t do Anything” graced our TV Screen for an hour until we decided to turn it off and bake.

Chocolate Chip Cookies! MMMmmm good! Nathan and Erin helped me dump and mix the ingredients together and then of course we all enjoyed eating our favorite cookies together!

So much  fun sharing a fun afternoon with our favorite things and people!!!

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3 c. flour

1 pkg. chocolate chips

Mix shortening and butter. Add sugars, baking soda, baking powder – mix. Add eggs and vanilla – mix. Add flour one cup at a time – mix. Add chocolate chips.

BAKE 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes (depends on your oven).

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

Newmark Theatre in Portland, OR

This is the first play that we have attended together as a family.  Annie finished reading “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl this fall.  I still have a hard time with the fact that my 2nd grade daughter is reading full chapter books! Anyway, we ended up watching the classic movie with her and then found out that this play was being put on by the Children’s theatre in Portland. 

Our seats were in the top section of the 1st balcony. The only mishap of the entire outing came when Nathan realized that we would be watching the play from “way up high.” Nathan has a fear of heights. After coaxing him a little bit, we were able to get him to his seat where he watched most of the play from our laps.  By the time the play started he and Annie were thrilled and loved watching the stage performance.

 

After the play all of the cast members were signing play programs. Annie waited in line and got signatures and pictures with ALL of the characters. She is thrilled to take her program to school tomorrow and show her friends and teacher!

“Charlie” and Annie!!!

Another sweet victory – Go DUCKS!

Oregon 44 – Arizona State 21

This night game at Autzen Stadium was fabulous! I was fortunate to be invited to go to a game this season with my brother Craig (new season ticket holder – whom I am very jealous of).  FUN! TOTAL ENERGY! AUTZEN STADIUM was amazing as always!

 

“Way to GO DUCKS!  Only two more games and you are heading to the ROSE BOWL!”

Rick, Kim, Rochelle and Craig cheering the DUCKS to their win over Arizona State!

Family time in Eugene!

 

Aunt Rochelle gets to meet Lily for the first time!

“Daddy’s Little Allstar”

Cousin Lily getting lots of attention from the entire family!

My Sweet Son – Nathan KunWoo Farris

Nathan is growing up so very fast! Yesterday, Ammon and I went to Nathan’s first school conference. His teacher, Mrs. Brown told us that Nathan is doing well in his first year in school! A quiet, yet confident little boy. Good with his peers, smart and willing to learn! He can say all the ABC’s, yet can’t quite identify all of them. He is working on learning to write his name, letters and numbers. She said it’s very clear he is a Star Wars fan.

Mrs. Brown asked him recently who his friends in his class were. He replied, “Nathan Daniel” (the other Nathan in his class) and “the little girl that chases me.” She asked what the little girl’s name was and he just shrugged and said, “I don’t know her name.” Very cute. Already has the girls chasing him!

I look forward to watching him continue to grow and develop! Nathan is such a strong little boy. His laugh is contagious. His shy nature is endearing. He has a passion for so many things…mostly physical in nature...like riding his bike, wrestling his Daddy, jumping around playing with light sabers and building incredible battle ships, cars and pirate ships with his Legos!

His heart is soft and tender. He loves his sister, mommy and daddy. He snuggles, gives kisses and hugs and is sweet and sincere. Right now his new cousin Lilyana has a special place in his heart. He has even already stepped in to act as her “protector” by insisting that Daddy use her given name rather than “squishy face” or other silly names he makes up. He says his best friends are his cousin Garrett, his neighbor Erin, and Joshua and Isaac.

Nathan loves Jesus and has asked HIM to come and live in his Heart forever! I love the spiritual conversations we have. He tells me regularly how Jesus really has made everything in the world even his toys. I try and explain the fact that God made people and they made his toys and that everything we have is a gift from God…but he just responds by insisting that HE KNOWS Jesus made his cars and Legos and everything! That’s fine with me. He also loves attending his classes at Hearts at Home and Sunday school! He loves reading Bible stories from his “God’s Mighty Warrior” Bible.

His favorite colors are red, green and blue. He sleeps with his monkey and has a way of “arranging his blankets” on his bed before he can go to sleep. Mommy also has to sing his “I Love You Nathan Song” and pray with him each and every night.

Nathan loves being read books. One of his favorite books I let him pick out at a bookstore. It’s called, “ Will and the Creepy Caves Mystery” by Sheila Walsh. It cracks me up every time I read it and we get to the last page where Will is saying his prayer he starts laughing uncontrollably because he loves the line where Will asks Jesus “not to let the bats poop on his head.” He laughs so hard! It’s adorable!

God has blessed our family with Nathan! A true gift from God! Almost exactly four years ago (November 11^th) was our “GOTCHA DAY.” We picked our son up from the Holt International office in South Korea and brought him home on the 17 hour flight home! Family and dear friends greeted us at the airport in Eugene. I was so happy to have him home in our arms where he so perfectly belonged. I am so proud of my boy and only look forward to the years ahead!

So have you ever asked God, “WHY?” Have you ever gotten an answer?

Well…tonight I was moaning and groaning about my state. I can’t breathe (well I can…otherwise I wouldn’t really be able to write this) due to “constricted airways” the doctor said. Kind of like bronchitis…but possibly due to symptoms of Sjogren’s Syndrome…an auto-immune disease that I was diagnosed with a few years ago…one that I have really been trying to ignore. Honestly, because I don’t have time for it!

Last week I came down with this cough. “It’s just a cough…I’ll push through it.” I didn’t stop, even with the wisdom my wonderful husband gave me to just slow down and relax for a few days. I had too much to do. As a mom, I couldn’t slow down…what would get done!? So I kept at it…I did the laundry, hosted a party, went to meetings, Bible studies and church. I even stocked my freezer with 9 new meals I made on Tuesday morning! I read my many emails and responded to the majority of them, continued to follow Facebook and even went grocery shopping. So really…is it any wonder that I got worse?

One of the many things I have been hearing in the back of my head over the past few months is: “Rochelle, you always have to be busy! Slow down. Come to me and I will give you what you need.” – GOD.

I know it’s HIM too. I just choose not to listen because there are things to be done, people to please and life to live. I mean it’s not like I am not in the WORD…I am. I have two Bible studies I do weekly and I pray regularly. But what I have realized today is…often I don’t wait and I don’t LISTEN.

This isn’t the LIFE that God really wants for me and tonight I was given a gift…a reminder of what life is all about. Tonight when I asked the question “Why?” as I was walking down the hall…tired of coughing for the zillionth time…the thought that immediately entered my head was, “Because you won’t slow down! I have to get your attention somehow.”

I stopped in my tracks. Sometimes I feel that life, and my spiritual life, act as mirrors. When life is crazy and I am not consistently in HIS Word and listening to what HE might be trying to tell me…my life feels a bit like it does now. I see a crazed woman staring back in the mirror and life is chaotic and crazy. When I am spending time with HIM and LISTENING…my cup is full and I have peace (even if all around me is not peaceful).

So tonight when I heard that voice in my head with the answer I know was only from the Holy Spirit. I paused, and instead of running through the list of things that I wasn’t going to be able to do if I kept running the crazy race…I pictured a woman…standing in front of Jesus saying, “Why God? I have all these things to do and no one else is going to do them…so I have to.”

I knew the story well. Mary and Martha. Martha was busy getting ready for guests and Mary was found sitting at Jesus feet…instead of helping get ready. Where was that story? I grabbed my Bible and searched for the story till I found it and read how Jesus replied. I entered my name instead of Martha’s, “My dear [Rochelle], you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it – and I won’t take that away from her.“ Luke 10: 41-42 (NLT) Mary was LISTENING to Jesus!

I am a “doer” I think doing things is important. I think in the mind set of having to do things or it won’t get done, and if it is, it might not be done right. Those of you who really know me know this is true…you know how I deal with the loading of my dishwasher!

Anyway, how arrogant is that? But it’s the way I often think. I love control and I struggle with not being able to control things. But in Christ’s playbook, being a “doer” sometimes means that we don’t rely on HIM as often as we should. We run ahead, get anxious, make things happen…but not necessarily in the way HE wants them to happen…mostly because we don’t slow down long enough to listen.

This evening I ran across another passage in the Bible. The red letters were just standing out on the page before me as I read over it again and again. It says in Matthew 16:24 (NLT) that “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.”

Selfish ambition in this world seems normal…actually the way to go. Get ahead, do, do and do more to stay ahead! If we are resting we must be without purpose. If we don’t have a 10 year plan we might be considered crazy. Or thinking of slowing down just makes some of us feel ill equipped. Often times, I have to admit…this selfish ambition is my normal fallback and the state I am often in. BUT Jesus, in his wisdom says to give up the lessons the world is telling us…follow HIM and find true life.

OK…so in my illness…you might think that I am going a bit crazy. Well, I have to say, that my new “crazy” seems a bit more manageable. God loves me. He made me. He knows my control freak nature…but wants to pull me into HIS loving arms and hold me. HE just wants me…all of me. He wants me to “Be still” for a little while and LISTEN to what HE has for me. OK God…it took knocking the air out of me (I guess that shows how stubborn I can be)…but I am listening.

More Lilyana…

Ammon, Annie and Nathan were lucky enough to have the chance to go down to Eugene and see Lily today.  (Rochelle was home recovering from her cough.)

Proud Grandparents

Holding a new cousin

Lil’ Lily

Uncle Ammon

New momma home at last!

Welcome Lilyana Sarah Kathleen Baker!!!

We are so excited to welcome Lily to our family! 8lbs 1 oz of cuteness!  Our first niece is beautiful and healthy. We can’t wait to get our hands on her! Unfortunately, the hospital has new rules and only allows two visitors (in total) into the maternity rooms..due to the H1N1 flu scare. So…we are patiently waiting for our chance to visit Lily at home in a few days!

I am sure her sad face is due to the Ducks losing today. See…born a true Duck fan!! Way to go Erik and Amy!