Catching up!

Wow! We have been back in Oregon for almost a full year now....my how the time flies.

Cora is almost 2 years old now and as hard as it may be for anyone else to believe, trust me, it's even harder for Greg and I. How in the world do we have a 2 year old? As you can imagine, Cora is the center of our universe and thinks she rules the house. (Okay, so she does sometimes!) I have a hard time containing myself when Cora walks up to me (actually, her usual speed is running) and spouts out a half sentence with the most serious look on her little face, of course expecting a serious response. As a good parent I know I'm expected to respond and hold my laughter in until she runs away, on to her next adventure, but oh how easy it is to burst into hysterics and plant kisses all over her grubby little two year old face! What a joy her spirit brings into our home. She loves music, dancing, bossing the dogs, playing with her friends Riley and Kaitlyn, reading books, swinging and getting very, very dirty! She has used the potty successfully a couple of times, but isn't quite ready to commit. She still uses some of her sign language, but is expanding her vocabulary daily. We recently converted her crib to a big girl bed. The first time that she came into our room in the middle of the night, put her face right in front of mine and said "hi" I just about wet the bed!! What would we do without Cora!

Greg is enduring his current job. The conditions fall a bit short of ideal (he would argue that this is a gross understatement), and there is not any room for advancement. The only way he keeps his sanity while keeping his job is by working part time as a reserve for the Stanfield, OR police department. His hopes are to gain experience and training as a reserve and work his way into a permanent position as a police officer either here or even closer to home (Pullman, WA). In the mean time, he is looking for something a little more enjoyable and humane to keep us fed and clothed (and diapered!).

I am loving doing hair more than ever! I'm not sure what it is, but I have found a new appreciation for the talent that God has given me. I have a magnificent boss who lets me set my schedule to work around Greg's schedule. Cora is a blessed little girl to have either her mommy or her daddy with her ALL THE TIME! And we feel blessed for the time we have with her, and also the money we save avoiding daycare (yuck!). I keep busy when I'm not at work keeping up on my chores (teehee), reading, napping (when the munchkin allows), gardening, and the obvious, chasing a two year old! I love being a mommy!!!