Seasons Greetings!

We are always amazed when December comes, as it marks the end of another year. We are amazed at how quickly time goes, and look back with gratitude on the blessings of 2009.

We have now lived in Portland over a year and are beginning to feel more involved and more comfortable with Jason’s busy work schedule. We have worked hard on our little house; landscaping, cultivating our garden, painting walls (never ending), and growing closer to our neighborhood friends. The house work has become Jason’s favorite hobby outside of work and disc golf.

Jason is busy working hard and putting in many hours at Providence Portland. He has had incredible training and gained confidence in his ability to be a physician this last year. In November Jason placed second out of 44 candidates in an all-state poster presentation. God continues to set up Jason’s path for the calling He has given to him.

We all have grown to love our church, Easthill Foursquare. We were blessed to have Kyla dedicated to the Lord there in April. Rachel took up a leadership position as Care Coordinator for our church’s MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) program, and Jason has joined the worship team playing drums once a month. Kyla enjoys her “class” and continues to ask to go to church at least once a day.

Kyla has grown a great deal this last year, and has definitely taken on the two’s with force. She is determined, but continues to show us her compassionate spirit as her nurturing side is coming out more in her imaginative play. She is quick to make those around her laugh, as well as assert her leadership when trying to coordinate her friends, or her parents. J She is starting to show her love for babies and dolls. We are thrilled about this as Kyla will take on the big sister role in March! What a blessing it will be to have another little girl in our family.

With all the growth and memories that have taken place this last year, we look ahead to what God has for us as individuals and as a family in 2010. May the Blessing of this season touch your hearts as you celebrate with family and friends!

Jason, Rachel, Kyla & Baby Van Winkle

Cookies with Emmy

Kyla and I headed down to Ashland while Jason was on nights. The trip was short, but very rewarding as we had time to just relax with family. A highlight was making cookies with Emmy. When I was little I loved making cookies with my mom. The mess never seemed to bother her, and we always seemed to have fun. This trip down, it was now Kyla's turn to make cookies with Emmy. It was a time to remember for both myself and my mom (Kyla may remember bits and pieces of it). So fun to share things with each generation! Kyla sure enjoyed licking the beater and cutting out cookies after her nap (you can tell which pictures are after her nap due to her hair).

This face tells it all!

Zoo Lights

Thanksgiving weekend we went to Oregon Zoo's annual Zoo Lights. We are so glad we did! The weather was perfect, a little chilly but no rain. We got pizza for dinner to eat while on the zoo train (thanks Papa for standing in line) which ended up working out perfectly. Kyla loved all the lights and even wasn't scared of the big elephant that greeted at the front gate. Kyla wanted to give him high fives. I wish I could have gotten a picture of her face. This night was one of the greatest highlights of our Thanksgiving weekend!

Potty Training Update

Since my last post, I can count on one hand how many accidents Kyla has had. Still not perfect, or potty trained at night, but she wears her big girl panties all day. So proud of her progress. It is also saving us money which we like with baby number two coming in a few months. She now cheers for mommy and daddy when we go potty, and gets very excited when she gets to try a "new" potty in public places. Although this is a simple post, it has been a big undertaking in the Van Winkle household.

Potty Training 101

Potty Training...one of those parenting topics that feels very foggy when you try to start implementing your plan. I now know why most parents dread the beginning of potty training.

At first, I was one who didn't have a plan, but thought to myself, at least I am introducing the idea to Kyla. Our family has been sick this last week. I decided to start potty training at the same time. I wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but thought since we were going to be house bound anyway, why not start. After getting lots of advice from those parents that have gone before us, as well as those just wishing us luck, we decided to jump all in and start!

We decided on three tips that we were going to use:

*Only use big girl panties (including nap), and do pull ups at night until Kyla can get the hang of going on the potty. to be honest, I was a little nervous of this one because I knew there would be many accidents.

*Instead of asking if Kyla had to go potty, we used the phrase "let mommy/daddy know when you have to go potty". This way she would be thinking it was her idea to use the potty. Kyla is strong willed and very determined to have things be her idea and her timing.

*We would give "treats" and BIG cheers for when she went %100 in the potty and not on the floor. Then she would get "treats" for telling me she had to go, and going.

* Giver her as much juice or liquids as she wanted. She needed lots of opportunities to learn the sensation, and experience the potty.

We are on day four now, and Kyla is now telling me when she has to go, and has no accidents today (we have a couple of hours before bed time). I would have never thought that she would "get it" so fast! Yes, there are many methods and all kids will be different, but this TOTALLY WORKED! The first day was long and hard with 9 accidents and 10 pairs of panties. However, she learned in that one day the sensation of going potty because day two she only had three accidents and half the day she used the potty with no accidents at all. I must admit though, I wanted to give up after day one. I felt like there was not one room in the house I hadn't cleaned in, and I was really wondering if she was learning anything. The best advice that I was given, came to my mind that night..."stick with it, she will get it".

I am so proud of Kyla, and feel a little proud of myself and Jason for sticking with it. Granted the process is not perfect or over yet, however I feel like we have gotten past the first hurdle. I am sure there are days to come that will feel like set backs, but I will remain excited for accomplishing the first hurdle of potty training.

Congrats Jason!

It has been about a month now since we headed down to Eugene for and ACP (American College of Physicians) conference for internal medicine physicians. During one of the afternoons Jason did a case presentation of one of his patients that he saw this last year. He researched the rare infection the patient had and then created a poster and presented it during two rounds of judging. He was asked many questions, and answered as many of them as he could. There were 44 other medical residents that did this, and we were so excited when Jason took 2nd!!! He worked so hard to create a good case, and favor was granted. Great job Jason! You are an amazing Physician and your patients are lucky to call you their doctor!

WE ARE HAVING A......

GIRL!!!

Pink? or Blue?

We have reached the halfway point of this pregnancy. We can hardly believe that 20 weeks has gone by, and it is time for the "big", truth telling ultrasound. Granted we pray that all is healthy with little baby VW, and Jason's medical checklist passes with flying colors, we are both extremely excited to find out if we are adding a boy or girl to our family. This coming Friday we get to find out! Pink or Blue!?! We will soon find out!

We are taking a poll to find out what you think! Will Kyla have a little brother or sister? Take a guess, and post a comment if you would like. We will let you know the results this Friday! :)

Here are some facts about this pregnancy (some compared to last) to help you make your guess:

* My morning sickness was just all day nassau (same with Kyla), however it was earlier during weeks 4-7. My first pregnancy it was weeks 8-12.

* No major food aversions, but I love salt and water this pregnancy (with Kyla it was sweets).

* My skin is dryer this time, and was not as clear during the first trimester (With Kyla my skin was better).

* Felt the baby move at 13.5 weeks.

* Jason comes from a family with all male cousins except for one, I come from a family with all female cousins except for two.

* I had only gained 2 pounds as of my 17 week check up.

* Jason thinks it could be a boy. I really don't have any inkling, but have a desire as to what I want.

* Baby's movements are lower than Kyla's were. (I have heard that each baby gets lower with every pregnancy as well.)

Daddy's Girls

For Jason's birthday, my cousin took some pictures of Daddy's girls. It was fun, but tough to get Kyla to stay interested in what was going on. With some bribing of treats, we captured some great shots.

Happy Birthday Jason!

Happy Birthday Emmy!

Happy Birthday Kyla!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY little miss Kyla! We cannot believe that you are now two. You have grown so much this last year, and we cannot imagine life without you. These pictures remind us of just how much you have grown! You bring so much joy, fun, and determination into our family. We love your smiles, hugs, and "I Love You's". We are blessed to have you in our family, and so thankful that God has entrusted us with you. We know this next year will bring some changes to our family, but we know you are going to be the BEST big sister! We love you Kyla Grace! Love, Mommy and Daddy

Big Girl Bed... or Not

Kyla has now been in her "Big Bed" for a few months. She loves having her own big girl bed. For Kyla's birthday we are going to transition her room and bring in a little larger bed for her to sleep in. Right now she is in her crib transitioned into a toddler bed. Up until a couple weeks ago, Kyla would stay in her bed and have no trouble falling asleep in her bed. She started getting up, so we went in to method one. This consisted of calmly putting Kyla back in her bed, saying good night...we stay in our bed now, and then leaving. We would do this until she didn't get out anymore. This became exhausting!! We went for 45 minutes one night. YIKES! We finally got enough courage to try method two. This isn't probably recommended by professionals, but it came up as an accident one night. Kyla going on 30 minutes one night so we decided just to let her be. Neither Jason or I had the patience to go in and put her back in bed. The patience was already out the window. We waited for about ten minutes then it was quiet. We waited to check to make sure she was asleep. We opened our door and there was little Kyla, curled up on her rocking chair with her monkey and book...SOUND ASLEEP! So, for the last couple weeks, we let Kyla go to sleep on her own. She doesn't play for very long, if at all, and is asleep within ten minutes (on most nights). We still have our long nights, but when we check on her before we head to bed, we find that many times we need to move her back to her big girl bed because somewhere in her room gave her comfort to fall asleep.

House Projects

Coming into the fall, there were two things that HAD to get done. Well, I should say one of them HAD to be done for the sake of the foundation of our house, and the ohter...was for my own sanity.

The first project was creating a french drain in the front yard, right off the front door. Every time it rained of any significance last year (which happens to be 300 days of the year when you live in the Pacific NW), we would get a large swamp area that wouldn't quite drain right. So, we took on the project to fix it. Here are some before and after pictures.

The second project was redoing the dining room chairs. The table was in great shape, thanks to Jason refinishing it when we first got it. However, the chairs are very very old and need a simple touch. Having ugly chairs that are mismatch don't help my efforts of being content with what I have. So, when Jason was a work one day, I marched down to Home Depot got supplies and redid the chairs. All four chairs cost me only $20. Pretty budget friendly and a great new look. Sorry no pictures of the table and chairs together.

Lasting Strength

It has officially been a long time since I have updated our blog! Usually it is because there hasn't been anything new going on. However, this time the problem lies more within me, rather than a lack of activity. We have gone camping, celebrated Nana Great's 80th birthday, traveled to Seattle, traveled to Ashland, gone on an airplane ride, lost Kyla's favorite stuffed animal E-E, found him again, and even worked on a couple house projects.

I think lately that my motivation to update the blog has ben clouded by my lack of motivation to be a mom and a wife. Lately life seems to feel overwhelming on many levels, emotional most days, and apathetic towards the daily tasks of cleaning house and making meals. I would like to attribute (or blame) it on being pregnant, on my husband's long hours of work as a Resident, or on my whiny and sassy two year old, but it just doesn't seem fair.

A couple weeks ago after visiting with some friends, I came away wanting to reevaluate my expectations and try to rethink and re-motivate my purpose and role I play for my family. After trying to look at how other moms' stay motivated in the kitchen and their housework, as well as plan activities for their kids, I found some great motivation and ideas to implement. Thinking I was on the right track, I still didn't feel the JOY that I wanted to. I wanted to love being a wife and love being a mom. It is hard when the "feeling" of service just isn't their for your family. It is so easy as a mom to look at how others are doing and think that what they are doing will solve the void or loneliness that is felt within yourself. God has truly gifted me in a unique way that is specific to my family's needs. I realized that what my feelings come down to are those of exhaustion. Not of a physical exhaustion so much as those of emotional. An exhaustion that comes from trying life on my own. It was at church last Sunday that I was reminded once again of how my efforts as a mom and wife never should rely on my own efforts or strength, but rather on the greater strength I have been promised by the Lord. That when days are long and hard, I have a God who can carry me through. When I feel like the dinners aren't creative and the house is a disaster, God looks down and doesn't really care. When my husband is coming home late and I emotional feel like I can't handle another late night, God whispers that I am not alone. When my daughter chooses a time out for the fifth time in one hour, God can fill up the patience tank to get through time out number six (even 7, 8, and 9).

I know that I can be a better Wife and a better Mom, because I have a strong and better God! It is amazing how tapping in to His strength during little moments throughout the day can calm what could have been an emotional draining moment.

Couch Jumping

The other day was couch cleaning day.  All the cushions come off, and it means freedom for Kyla.  This is the only time she is allowed to jump on the couch.  She decided to test out her new skills of bravery by jumping off the couch.  Not afraid one bit! :)

Kyla's Shirt Says it All!!

Going Back

We are leaving for a week's view of this...

So disappointed that Jason can't make it this time.  At least he gets to come for one night.  

Oregon Coast

About a month ago, yes it has taken me this long, we began our vacation at the north end of the Oregon Coast and traveled down to the south end.  We took four days, taking our time and stopping whenever and wherever we felt like it.  We really had no agenda, but to just be a family on our trip.  Although the weather was pretty chilly, I learned to always pack more clothes then you think you can use when traveling the coast with a toddler.

CANNON BEACH

TILLAMOOK CHEESE FACTORY

OREGON AQUARIUM, NEWPORT

KYLA'S 1ST A&W ROOTBEER FREEZE

BANDON, KITE & BEACH DAY