Five Poppens & a PhD: Month 3: Family, Fun, Farewells

This month was full to the brim. We spent a good portion of July having wonderful adventures with my dad, including a (yurt)camping trip to the beach, and a family reunion with my mom's side of the family. We said farewell to First Presbyterian Church and had my last day of work. We filled in every last free day with "lasts" of people and places in Portland and final visits with friends before our move. And when we weren't doing any of these things, we were packing. And packing some more.

Isaiah's first trip to the beach

BBQ with our cousin Naphtali and her beautiful family

Being silly :)

Lola and her grandkids

with Oma and Opa

Isaiah is growing up - literally. He is over 25 inches long and still skinny and lanky. He's had some rough days and nights and seems to be starting the un-fun teething process with drool galore, chewing, biting, painful cries and sleepless nights. But this month was also filled with charming smiles and adorable giggles. Isaiah has worked his neck muscles and loves to hold his head up high. He enjoys sitting in the high chair or bumbo, and it very fond of his giraffe that big sister gave him on his day of birth. Isaiah is still a snuggle bunny and loves to be carried in the Ergo.

With Cousin Elizabeth

Meeting Uncle Kenny for the first time!

Zoë is taking all the changes and fast-paced life in stride (with a bit of difficult behavior). She loved playing and going on adventures with Grandpa and spending time with Uncle Judah (her current favorite person in the world), and had a great time spending two nights in a row at Lola's house. Zoë is full of energy and her imaginative play is pretty amazing, and her drawings are starting to look like the "real" thing!

S'mores!

Playing with sticks (a favorite pastime)

You can (kind of) see the letters of her name

Zoë's drawing of a spider

Not bad!

Giant frisbee with Uncle Judah

Building sand castles with Farner cousins

This month has been bittersweet. There is a deep sadness knowing the loss that is soon to come, even while it is fun to try to fit in our favorite things and places one last time. It is difficult to say goodbye to friends we've made, and even more difficult to prepare to say farewell to the family we have so enjoyed living near these past two years. We think back through the memories of all that happened during our time in Portland, and we thank God for blessing us, providing for us, and putting us in this place at this time with great purpose. We know that good things are to come, and the excitement for the next phase of life helps carry us forward as we continue to trust in God's faithfulness and love.