Where have we been?

Brooks' one year photo taken by Amy Jo of Lotta Love Photo

All over.

Brooks is now one as of April 21st, which blows my mind.

I have been working from home since mid December, which has been such an incredible blessing.

I spent ten days in Washington visiting family, enjoying my parents, and welcoming a new cousin into the world (big congrats to Kelly and Ben, and welcome to the world little Cade)

...and I just got back from an incredible Ransomed Heart Captivating retreat where I spent quality time with the Lord, met some incredible women, and actually made it through (although barely) four days without Brooks and Bryant.

I thought I would have all the time in the world to blog and eat bon bons while "working" at home (see post natal blog about stay at home moms for reference), but as any other SAHM knows, that just isn't the case. My time is consumed with playing with my boy, trying to stay on top of the house work and be a good Titus 2 wifey-poo, my new found love of sewing/creating, and getting outside to enjoy this amazing place we live (when it isn't dumping snow).

In other news, in December we got a call from my parents letting us know my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, a call no child ever, ever wants to receive, but to sum it up in an inappropriately short paragraph: praise the Lord, the doctors found it at stage 0, were able to remove the lump without a full mastectomy, she made it through six weeks of radiation while spending the week days three hours from home in Wenatchee, and is now on the road to a full recovery.

Praise the Lord from who all blessings flow!

As you can probably imagine, I have a ton of pictures to post, but I may just put them on a picasa album so they don't take up so much space. I have had a lot of fun with my new camera.

Thanks for checking in, even though I am embarrassed to say, it has been over four months since I have done the same.

All my best, and tremendous blessings to you, friends,

XOXO,

Becs and the boys

Splish Splash!

Brooks is fascinated with the bath/shower. If we are filling the tub for him, he gets so excited for his bath...

And if either of us are in the shower, he will stand at the bath the entire time, water spraying his face and hair and try to get in with us.

It is pretty cute.

He is pretty cute. He must take after his daddy.

XOXO,

Proud Mama

College Habits Die Hard...or Not at All

I distinctly remember sitting in the dungeon/basement of the house I lived in Sophomore year at WSU playing on Naptster (remember Napster?!) on a Sunday night thinking, I really should start that 10 page essay due tomorrow...and inevitable by 9 or 10 I would start it and finish around 2 or 3 in the morning, or at least in time to shower and head to my 9:15 English class to turn it in to a professor who could read me like a book (after all, they were an English professor).

Procrastination...

Well, I am taking a virtual class right now, and I have a zillion excuses why I haven't finished the homework...and have only finished the first of three L.O.N.G questions, including writing this blog about not doing it...the funny thing, it is a fun and very enjoyable class that I willingly signed up for in early December, but...

Old habits do die hard...

Should I make my husband cookies, or finish my homework?

Start the chicken pot pie or do my homework?

I think I have a problem...and I have a feeling EVERY Sunday night/Monday during this class is going to be the same thing...

As my old boss used to tell me over and over..."there is no hour like the 11th hour." And thank goodness for that!

XOXO,

Becs

A Great North Idaho Photographer

photo courtesy of the Vintage Barn Show

Last September I went to the Vintage Barn Show in Rathdrum, Idaho.



Where is Rathdrum, you ask? It is near Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.



Where is Coeur D'Alene, you ask (if you have been living under a rock)? It is about 30 minutes east of Spokane, Washington on the 90.



My family is all nestled in the Okanogan Valley in Eastern Washington, so many of them met us there...



It was a blast! We stayed in an awesome house on the Spokane River and when we weren't shopping at the Vintage Barn Show, (which was AWESOME!), we played, played, played!



A highlight of our trip was meeting Christina G who is a tremendous photographer...I mention her because she just updated her website, which you can view by clicking here... Christina G Photography, and to be totally transparent, if I mention her here, I am entered in a little giveaway she is doing...and I LOVE fun giveaways...So, take a peak, and if you live in the great northwest, give her a call.



All my Best,



Becs

Updated: Mercy and Sharing Co founder, Susie Made Another Appearance on CNN

Update on Mercy and Sharing: Susie Krabacher, co founder of Mercy and Sharing was on the Campbell Brown show on CNN again last night (Thursday) with another update on their progress in Haiti...I will post a link as soon as it is available on their site.

For regular updates on Susie and her team, become a fan of Mercy and Sharing on Facebook and Twitter

photo courtesy of Mercy and Sharing

Temporary medical beds set up in the streets

We don't have cable at home.

But I am in front of a computer all day covering at the office.

So, I swallowed my resistance and started reading and looking at photos of Haiti.

Wow.

Joe and Susie Krabacher are Aspen locals who go to our church, Crossroads. They have been working with the people of Haiti for over a decade through their organziation, Mercy and Sharing. They have orphanages, clinics and feeding programs set up throughout the country to help those in need...and now the need is greater than ever.

100% of every dime donated to their organization, Mercy and Sharing goes to assist the people of Haiti as the overhead for their foundation is paid by the Krabacher's and their board members.

100%

Even if you do not have the means to help them financially, please keep them in your prayers. Susie is on the ground in Haiti and promises not to leave until she finds the children who have been missing since the earthquake.

She was on CNN yesterday (January 20, 2010). You can view the interview using this link:

Susie Krabacher on CNN

You can follower her updates on Twitter and Facebook as well.

Best,

Becs

I.have.a.new.best.friend...

Shows you how close we are! I put Prairie Woman instead of Pioneer. Silly me! For some reason, I had prairies on my mind.

She just doesn't know it yet...or know me, for that matter.

She is creative, and spunky, and she is living a life sort of opposite of me.

She is a city girl who married a cowboy.

She can cook, oh can she cook!

Her name is, Ree...and she is the Pioneer Woman.

Do you want to get to know her too?

All you have to do is visit The Pioneer Woman

Dear Mr. Sleep,

I miss you. For some reason, your visits are short and often forced.

Please come back, and visit Brooks too...for at least 8 hours a night. I am sure he misses you, even though he doesn't really know who you are.

Miss You,

One Tired Mama Who Hasn't Slept an Eight Hour Increment in at Least a Year (Including Pregnancy)

Fun.With.My.Canon

w.r.i.t.e.r.s b.l.o.c.k

I am absent from the blog...

But more present in mommyhood than ever.

When we got home from Charleston I started "working" from home.

I thought this would mean more work than it has been, but it turns out, I have been able to spend most of my time playing mama and maid (I am being silly about the maid part).

My day has become scheduled...8:30ish the boy is up, we eat breakfast together after daddy leaves for work...he plays until about 10:00ish and then naps for an hour or two while I clean a closet or tidy the house...he wakes. We typically have an afternoon adventure such as hiking Smuggler mountain with Aunt Amy Jo and Tait, and then he takes another nap around 3:30...daddy is home around 6:00, we play as a family, eat dinner, play some more, and then Brooks heads to bed...

I couldn't be more happy and am so thankful the Lord has opened the opportunity for me to be at home with my boy. What a joy.

Everyday when he is napping I check into my favorite blogs (see blog role to the right). I am so inspired by so many godly women who give a peak into their world as mommies and wives...and then I start a blog entry of my own...and get stuck.

So, I am praying for inspiration. I have a zillion fun pictures to show you that I took with my new camera! I have some really fun adventures to share with you... but they will come in time.

As a family we are dealing with some health issues, and focusing our time on praying and supporting our loved one who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer (but asked to remain anonymous, and I love and respect that).

I love you all...my cup runneth over.

Until I can put my thoughts into better words,

Becs

Uh Oh!

Mama got a new camera!

There is so much to learn.

Hopefully I don't get too distracted and forget about my new job...director of domestic affairs, Ragan division.

XOXO,

B

Merry Christmas from the Ragans

Home Sweet Sweet Sweet Home

We had a wonderful time in Charleston.

What a romantic city.

The history, the sights, the stories...the SHOPPING! It was all amazing!

It was great to see and spend quality time with family...

We even met relatives from Canada Bryant hasn't seen since he was a baby.

We played on the beach, collected shells, and let Brooks put his toes in the surf.

And, we ate...boy did we eat. I have a love hate relationship with southern food. It truly is incredible. I could easily become a glutton if I lived down south. It would take a lot of discipline not to. We had the best bbq, collards, grits, oh the grits, and seafood I have ever had...and I am from Seattle! We only had one meal I would describe as "average," and the rest were very memorable.

It was all fantastic...until I got on my scale this morning. Dun dun dun... I have a little work to do, but it was worth it. Every rib that grazed my lips, every spoonful of stone ground grits, every helping of collards...worth every single one!

Brooks was an amazing traveller! He slept on every flight to and from Charleston, he smiled at everyone he met, and was an all around good boy, despite breaking a second tooth and a horrible bout with diaper rash, he was all smiles and laughter.

I love him. I love my husband. I have the best travel team.

My favorite morning by far started around 6:30 with Brooks up and ready to play. He was flopping between Bryant and I giving us the "peoples elbow" and pulling our hair to get us out of bed. It worked. We got up in time to grab some blankets and coffee and head up to the rooftop deck and watch the sunrise over the Atlantic ocean, huddled together as a family, and we followed that with family devotions and reading up on the Christmas story in Luke and Isaiah, and completed it all with a walk on the beach.

I have so many more stories...and a lot of pictures. Once I get caught up on the laundry (three cheers for my new washer and dryer!!!) and get my house back into some order, I will spend more time posting.

Until then...Happy New Year, Friends. May your cup overflow with blessings in 2010.

XOXO,

B and the boys

Merry Christmas

I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off (an expression my grandmother, who often butchered chickens used to say all of the time, and l think is pretty funny).

After today, I am officially done with my desk job. No more 8:30-5:30 m-f for me. My replacement is trained and ready to go, and I am packed and ready to fly out to Charleston, South Carolina to spend Christmas with Bryant's family.

I may be able to share some updates, but if not, have a very Merry Christmas, and remember, Jesus is truly the reason for the season...

I will be updating Twitter and Facebook... Follow me @rebeccajragan

All my best to you and yours.

XOXO,

Becs and the boys

Today Something Happened That has NEVER Happened Before!

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

I WON!

Have you ever seen an ad in the paper that said text "THIS" to XXXXXXX for your chance to win "THIS?"

Maybe not because it is pretty new marketing.

But, I saw it in an ad for the Aspen Club and Spa, where Bryant and I both used to be members before we were married with children and could use our money in irresponsible ways.

It is a nice place.

In fact, my OB office is in the Aspen Club, so I still got to go in and see my friends who work there or are fortunate enough to have a membership.

But, once my preggo visits were over, so were my visits to the Club.

Until today.

I got a text message announcing ME as the WINNER of a 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP!!!

WHOO HOOO!!! I am clicking my heals over this one! I have signed up for probably 150+ contests in my lifetime, and have never won one...until today...that I can remember.

I WIN! I WIN! I WIN!

Yessssssssssssssssssssssss! (with a major first grade fist pump!)

XOXO,

B

PS, if there is a Lance Armstrong and/or Alex Rodriguez sighting, I will definitely tell you.

I love this little boy...