finally...

I am so excited! We are finally getting on a good schedule here in Oregon. the move kinda messed a lot of things up. especially with Claire's sleeping habits. We moved and all the sudden she forgot how to sleep at night! it was like I had just brought her home from the hospital again! but all is well now. She is sleeping. and that makes this mommy very very happy. Not having my mommy to lean on is pretty hard.. but it is really strengthening mine and Chace's marriage. I realize now that at times when I probably should have been going to my husband I was going to my mommy. She is my best friend. my mother and I are really very close and I feel like she knows everything. and really going to here first is what I have been doing my whole life. BUT I am married. I need to rely on my dear sweet husband more. now that we are so far away its forcing me to rely on him more... and its really quite awesome. It really has done a lot for us. I know that this is where we are suppose to be. Because I could have NEVER forced myself to stop going to my mother for everything. I love going to her. I love her advice. I love her opinion. and i love her. I still get her input over the phone from time to time. and I miss her like crazy... but this is good. life is good. I'm learning to trust my husband more with day to day things. I will never stop missing my mom. And when the time comes I will be excited to live near her again. but chace and I have a lot of work to do on our selfs. and I am excited to do it. I am excited to grow. be our own couple and learn even more about each other. I really think that what we are going through right now as a couple and as a family unit would be a good experience for anyone who lives close to there family. It's like we're newly weds all over again. the dynamics have changed... but for the better. I only hope that my wonderful mother can understand... I hope and I pray that she can be ok with the change. I hope she understands that all of this is only going to make chace and I better and that it is only going to help us grow. and I hope she knows that I miss her.. and my daddy. every second of everyday... stay strong. we will be back soon. I love you.

Claire Claire Claire

I never knew how rewarding being a mother would be. It is honestly sooooo amazing! I never knew how MUCH love I could feel for my own child. Before I had her everyone I know that already had children would say to me "you are going to experience love in a whole new way..." and i believed them but I really did not understand what that ment until I experience it for myself. it is the most amazing feeling.. there is just such a strong connection... I am so happy to do anything and everything for her and i am so proud to be her mother. i am so proud to be a mom. i remember one of the first nights at home.. when it was just the baby, Chace and i.. it was such a trial. so hard. i remember thinking how am i going to get through this?? i have no idea what I'm doing! i was a wreak. i had Hadley slept. i went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. blood shot eyes, hair a mess, bags under eyes... but i remember thinking to myself... I can do this. I am strong. I am beautiful. I am a mother. and there is no greater feeling in the world. I feel bad for the people who go through life thinking that having children is not for them and that they are better off just taking care of themselves. because this is the most beautiful gift my heavenly father has ever given me. I am so proud to be a mom. and i feel so blessed to have such a beautiful, healthy baby girl.
no words can fully describe how much happiness it gives me.
xo
kelsie

So much fun!

Life here in portland has been amazing so far! Chace has an awesome job, we are now making double what he use to back in utah. the apartment that I am managing is awesome. we love the apartment it self plus the people we work for are really cool. there is always something to do here. it is honestly an awesome and beautiful place to live.
Claire is doing great now. the transition was a little hard for her but now that we are all settled into our new place everything is working out really well. she is amazing. i cant imagine going through life without her. being a mom is the most wonderful experience. its a love more unlike anything i have ever known. Chace and I are so happy. our marriage is only getting stronger. and our friendships with natalie and kilo couldnt be better. they are two of the most amazing people i have ever met. to have a friendship like ours is something that doesnt happen offten. I feel so blessed to have the life that I have. we have been givin so much and this move has been such a wonderful experience thus far. I am so excited to have the things that I have and I am so excited for the future. life is good.
xoxo
kc