"Mom, I've finally figured out the difference between mushrooms and rocks. Mushrooms are chewy."
Noah James Linhart, age 4
___________
More Noah funnies over at The Johnsons.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Moved!
Okay, this is my third attempt at posting this because the computer I'm working on has (gasp!) dial-up! So I keep losing connection and therefore keep losing my posts. Gah! But I finally got smart and am typing this in Word so I can just copy and paste and hopefully not lose connection in the time it takes to do that.
So, we made it! The move was...well, stressful. But it got done thanks to the super abilities of my husband and my wonderful brothers (Jared and Eric) and my mom. They were all superstars and worked so hard with many obstacles getting their way. But it's over, we made it, and now we're taking a little bit of a rest before house hunting!
I'm so excited to start looking for a house! My mom gave us some great leads and it's starting to look like something could really work out for us! Geary is at a conference in North Carolina until Saturday night. We plan to meet with a real estate agent on Monday and start seeing what's out there. Keep praying though--it's still a big uncertain adventure.
The boys are doing amazingly well! Toby has slept through the night every night so far and Noah is proudly telling everyone (and by everyone I mean the checker at Target, the gas station attendant, and the lady who cut his hair) that we don't live in Washington anymore but we live in Oregon in Grandma's house and pretty soon his cousin Lili will come to stay for a few days. Geary said, "Do you just feel the need to tell everyone?" And Noah looked at him incredulously and replied, "Yeah! I don't think everyone knows yet!" I half expected him to roll his eyes and say, "Duh."
Well, as I mentioned before, I don't have very reliable internet access so I don't know how much I'llbe able to post over the summer, but I'll try my best to keep you updated. Feel free to call our cell phones, though--we still have the same numbers. And for all our friends who already live in Oregon--we can't wait to reconnect with you and hang out soon!
So, we made it! The move was...well, stressful. But it got done thanks to the super abilities of my husband and my wonderful brothers (Jared and Eric) and my mom. They were all superstars and worked so hard with many obstacles getting their way. But it's over, we made it, and now we're taking a little bit of a rest before house hunting!
I'm so excited to start looking for a house! My mom gave us some great leads and it's starting to look like something could really work out for us! Geary is at a conference in North Carolina until Saturday night. We plan to meet with a real estate agent on Monday and start seeing what's out there. Keep praying though--it's still a big uncertain adventure.
The boys are doing amazingly well! Toby has slept through the night every night so far and Noah is proudly telling everyone (and by everyone I mean the checker at Target, the gas station attendant, and the lady who cut his hair) that we don't live in Washington anymore but we live in Oregon in Grandma's house and pretty soon his cousin Lili will come to stay for a few days. Geary said, "Do you just feel the need to tell everyone?" And Noah looked at him incredulously and replied, "Yeah! I don't think everyone knows yet!" I half expected him to roll his eyes and say, "Duh."
Well, as I mentioned before, I don't have very reliable internet access so I don't know how much I'llbe able to post over the summer, but I'll try my best to keep you updated. Feel free to call our cell phones, though--we still have the same numbers. And for all our friends who already live in Oregon--we can't wait to reconnect with you and hang out soon!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
True Dat
Since we're moving in a couple days we've been eating odd combinations of food trying to use up as much as we can. Poor Noah has been told, "That's all there is," and "There's not many choices for food today" all day long. Tonight during his bedtime routine he told Geary, "Dad, I know we're moving and everything but...it's really hard to stop wanting to eat."
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
More Information
Finally, right?
Well, after we made the big decision to not go to New Orleans with the Brantleys and the Carlsons, we turned our sights toward the Portland area. I had been wanting to move back for a few years and Geary recently jumped on the bandwagon. I don't know what it is about Portland but it just feels like home to me. Maybe it's that it is the city where I felt like I truly became myself. Or maybe it's because it's the first city where I lived as an adult and had to figure out on my own. Or maybe it's just where I was meant to be. All I know is that my heart feels at peace when I'm in Oregon.
Last year, I read an article about Southgate Chapel in Canby, OR and something about them tugged at my heart. Their mission and philosophy about how to "do" church" really resonated with me. I started keeping tabs on their website to follow what they were doing in the Canby community. Last Novemeber, we went to visit Southgate, where (bonus!) our friend Celina and her husband Geoff are active members. We really enjoyed our time there and as the year went on felt pretty certain that we'd like to be part of a church and community like that.
Almost immediately after that Geary was offered a job at Veritas School in Newberg, OR. We had to keep it on the down low because Geary hadn't told his principal at North Sound yet. But once he did, she gave him a glowing recommendation letter. Canby is about 18 miles from Newberg. Also, Geary has relatives whom we love very much in Newberg.
God has really directed our steps and now we're at the final stage of this whole transition--looking for a house. We decided to save a little rent money by moving out early and staying with Geary's parents while we house hunt. Like I said before, it's pretty scary to move out with out knowing where we're going to move in. But God has never left us homeless before, so we're taking this big step of faith.
Although our first choice of a city to live in is Canby (because we want to become involved at Southgate) we're going to be looking anywhere within a 20 mile radius of Newberg. I was not kidding when I said it was going to take a miracle. We are a single income family on a teacher's salary and the average home price in the areas we are looking is about double what we can afford. Are we crazy to even try? Maybe. But God has asked people to do much crazier things. And I am really looking forward to telling people the story of our miracle. Once it happens, I mean.
So...pray for us! We move down to Albany in three days. We are excited, scared, happy, sad, nervous and elated about this whole adventure. Blog posts might be a little sparse over the summer but we'll definitely keep you updated on our progress.
Well, after we made the big decision to not go to New Orleans with the Brantleys and the Carlsons, we turned our sights toward the Portland area. I had been wanting to move back for a few years and Geary recently jumped on the bandwagon. I don't know what it is about Portland but it just feels like home to me. Maybe it's that it is the city where I felt like I truly became myself. Or maybe it's because it's the first city where I lived as an adult and had to figure out on my own. Or maybe it's just where I was meant to be. All I know is that my heart feels at peace when I'm in Oregon.
Last year, I read an article about Southgate Chapel in Canby, OR and something about them tugged at my heart. Their mission and philosophy about how to "do" church" really resonated with me. I started keeping tabs on their website to follow what they were doing in the Canby community. Last Novemeber, we went to visit Southgate, where (bonus!) our friend Celina and her husband Geoff are active members. We really enjoyed our time there and as the year went on felt pretty certain that we'd like to be part of a church and community like that.
Almost immediately after that Geary was offered a job at Veritas School in Newberg, OR. We had to keep it on the down low because Geary hadn't told his principal at North Sound yet. But once he did, she gave him a glowing recommendation letter. Canby is about 18 miles from Newberg. Also, Geary has relatives whom we love very much in Newberg.
God has really directed our steps and now we're at the final stage of this whole transition--looking for a house. We decided to save a little rent money by moving out early and staying with Geary's parents while we house hunt. Like I said before, it's pretty scary to move out with out knowing where we're going to move in. But God has never left us homeless before, so we're taking this big step of faith.
Although our first choice of a city to live in is Canby (because we want to become involved at Southgate) we're going to be looking anywhere within a 20 mile radius of Newberg. I was not kidding when I said it was going to take a miracle. We are a single income family on a teacher's salary and the average home price in the areas we are looking is about double what we can afford. Are we crazy to even try? Maybe. But God has asked people to do much crazier things. And I am really looking forward to telling people the story of our miracle. Once it happens, I mean.
So...pray for us! We move down to Albany in three days. We are excited, scared, happy, sad, nervous and elated about this whole adventure. Blog posts might be a little sparse over the summer but we'll definitely keep you updated on our progress.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Happy Father's Day!
Noah made a paper necktie for Geary at preschool. He also gave Geary a bag of microwave popcorn with the following poem:
I know you care and love me
I know you'll never stop
And I am proud to tell the world that you're
My special "POP."
Tobin gave Geary 7 straight hours of sleeping through the night.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Last Day of Preschool
Noah had his last day of preschool today. Here is a picture from today and one from his first day of preschool.
His teachers measured each student on the first day of school and the last day of school and Noah grew three and 1/2 inches over the school year.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Noah's Award
Noah's preschool had an awards ceremony yesterday. Noah received the award for "Playing with friends & Looking at books." We are, of course, very proud parents.Some of the other awards included, "Overcoming Shyness", "Learning Self Control", and "Learning to Use My Words".
Sunday, June 10, 2007
In the car
We had some funny moments in the car on the way home from Granny and Grampdude's house.
Noah: When we get home can I watch a little movie?
Jeana: Maybe.
Noah: What?
Jeana: I said, 'Maybe!'
Noah: WHAT?
Jeana: MAYBE!
Noah: Why did you yell?
Jeana: Because I thought you couldn't hear me...
Noah: What?
_______
Jeana: I still think I might like to get my nose pieced.
Noah: What's a nose pierced?
Jeana: Like an earring in your nose.
Noah (horrified): Like a bull???
_______
Noah was inhaling and exhaling with extreme force. I asked, "What are you doing?" He shrugged and said, "I'm smellin'."
_______
After awhile Geary announced that his ears were tired and we all quieted down. We drove in silence for about 10 minutes when Geary read the words on a semi-truck.
Geary: Jim's Garlic Pizza
Jeana: ...
Noah: ...
Toby: ...
Geary: I don't know why I just said that. I thought I wanted silence.
Jeana: ...
Noah:...
Toby:...
Geary: I just gave myself a headache by saying that.
Jeana:...
Toby:...
Noah: Dad, my ears are tired.
Noah: When we get home can I watch a little movie?
Jeana: Maybe.
Noah: What?
Jeana: I said, 'Maybe!'
Noah: WHAT?
Jeana: MAYBE!
Noah: Why did you yell?
Jeana: Because I thought you couldn't hear me...
Noah: What?
_______
Jeana: I still think I might like to get my nose pieced.
Noah: What's a nose pierced?
Jeana: Like an earring in your nose.
Noah (horrified): Like a bull???
_______
Noah was inhaling and exhaling with extreme force. I asked, "What are you doing?" He shrugged and said, "I'm smellin'."
_______
After awhile Geary announced that his ears were tired and we all quieted down. We drove in silence for about 10 minutes when Geary read the words on a semi-truck.
Geary: Jim's Garlic Pizza
Jeana: ...
Noah: ...
Toby: ...
Geary: I don't know why I just said that. I thought I wanted silence.
Jeana: ...
Noah:...
Toby:...
Geary: I just gave myself a headache by saying that.
Jeana:...
Toby:...
Noah: Dad, my ears are tired.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Sleeping like a baby
A typical night:
Sometime between 10:00 and 10:30pm Toby finishes his last feeding and is usually asleep in my arms. I lay him in his crib and crawl into my own bed. He usually wakes up for a feeding between 4:00 and 4:30am. Most of the time he'll go back to sleep in his crib but once in awhile he can't seem to settle down so I'll bring him to my bed with me. Then he sleeps again until around 7:00am.
Last night:
I put Toby to bed at 10:30pm. He woke up at 6:15am. Almost EIGHT hours!
I'm not counting on it happening again any time soon, but it sure was nice to be able to sleep through the whole night!
Sometime between 10:00 and 10:30pm Toby finishes his last feeding and is usually asleep in my arms. I lay him in his crib and crawl into my own bed. He usually wakes up for a feeding between 4:00 and 4:30am. Most of the time he'll go back to sleep in his crib but once in awhile he can't seem to settle down so I'll bring him to my bed with me. Then he sleeps again until around 7:00am.
Last night:
I put Toby to bed at 10:30pm. He woke up at 6:15am. Almost EIGHT hours!
I'm not counting on it happening again any time soon, but it sure was nice to be able to sleep through the whole night!
Progress
Jeana: Remember, before we were married, how I could never find my shoes?
Geary (chuckling): Yeah, and I thought we'd have to have Lisa come live with us because she always seemed to know where they were.
Jeana: Yeah. I'm much better about that now.
Geary: ...
Jeana: What? I'm way better about finding my own shoes! You have to admit that!
Geary: Okay, I have to admit that you hardly ever lose track of your shoes...Now it's just your debit card. And your keys.
Jeana (scowling): I still usually find them on my own, though.
Geary: And your phone.
REGRESS
Geary (chuckling): Yeah, and I thought we'd have to have Lisa come live with us because she always seemed to know where they were.
Jeana: Yeah. I'm much better about that now.
Geary: ...
Jeana: What? I'm way better about finding my own shoes! You have to admit that!
Geary: Okay, I have to admit that you hardly ever lose track of your shoes...Now it's just your debit card. And your keys.
Jeana (scowling): I still usually find them on my own, though.
Geary: And your phone.
REGRESS
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
The Plan
June 23-24 Move out of our apartment. Stay in the luxurious lower level of Grandma Garyanna and Grandpa Bob's house.
June 25-July 7 House Hunt
July 8-13 Family Vacation/Teaching Conference for Geary in Moscow, ID
July 14-23 Family Reunion in McCall, ID
July 24-31 Back to the Stalicks for more house hunting OR move into our new house if the previous round of househunting was successful.
This is a big, big, BIG step of faith for us. Please pray that we will find the right house for our family. It will have to be a miracle because what we can afford is probably laughable to most real estate agents. But God can make it happen and we are trying hard to believe that he will.
June 25-July 7 House Hunt
July 8-13 Family Vacation/Teaching Conference for Geary in Moscow, ID
July 14-23 Family Reunion in McCall, ID
July 24-31 Back to the Stalicks for more house hunting OR move into our new house if the previous round of househunting was successful.
This is a big, big, BIG step of faith for us. Please pray that we will find the right house for our family. It will have to be a miracle because what we can afford is probably laughable to most real estate agents. But God can make it happen and we are trying hard to believe that he will.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Communication
Geary: Where's our emergency kit?
Jeana: In the closet on the green bookshelf.
Geary: Where in the closet?
Jeana: On the green bookshelf.
Geary: On a bookshelf? What bookshelf?
Jeana: The green bookshelf.
Geary: We have a bookshelf in the closet? What bookshelf is the closet?
Jeana: The bookshelf that is green. (breaking into song) And that's why it's called Green Bookshelf!
Geary: I don't see a green bookshelf!
Jeana: Are you kidding me? The green bookshelf in the closet!
Geary: Oh, here it is on the green bookshelf. Why didn't you just say so?
Jeana: In the closet on the green bookshelf.
Geary: Where in the closet?
Jeana: On the green bookshelf.
Geary: On a bookshelf? What bookshelf?
Jeana: The green bookshelf.
Geary: We have a bookshelf in the closet? What bookshelf is the closet?
Jeana: The bookshelf that is green. (breaking into song) And that's why it's called Green Bookshelf!
Geary: I don't see a green bookshelf!
Jeana: Are you kidding me? The green bookshelf in the closet!
Geary: Oh, here it is on the green bookshelf. Why didn't you just say so?