Cannon Beach getaway

It All Starts with the Sunglasses

Sophie's existence can be credited to a pair of sunglasses.

On April 20, 2002, Doug and I were both working in Maxey Computer Lab at Whitman. We had mutual friends, but that was the extent of our relationship. On that particular morning, we made small talk in the computer lab, but Doug quickly left to go do something fun and cool, while I stayed to read and write (my idea of cool). After he left, I realized that he had forgotten his pair of sunglasses. I sent the following email (I've kept it in my scrapbook):

SUBJECT: your sunglasses...

Dude---I think you left your sunglasses in the Maxey computer lab so I grabbed them and have them...if they aren't yours, then I have a free pair of sunglasses that you can take if you want them...

E

(I knew those were his sunglasses, but I worked really hard to make sure that email appeared casual and ambivalent!!) He replied to the email, and--in true Doug fashion--the email was flirtatious and mildly inappropriate. Therefore, I will not be directly quoting his email in this family blog!

Although we didn't begin dating until the summer, those lost sunglasses began the attraction.

Since that first email correspondence, Doug has probably lost two dozen pairs of sunglasses. There are times that his forgetfulness annoys and frustrates me. ("You lost ANOTHER pair?" "We have to stop at another gas station on this road trip to buy sunglasses?" "Didn't you JUST buy some last week?") But, Doug always reminds me that if it weren't for his AMAZING ABILITY to lose sunglasses, I never would have written that first email.

So, our love story starts with a pair of sunglasses. Now, Sophie has her own pair to lose quickly like her father or to keep for years like her mother :)

All You Need is LOVE

On Sunday, February 14th, Sophie was baptized in front of both sets of grandparents, her Aunt Pip, Uncle Chris, and Aunt Ali. It was a special weekend with our families in town--filled with laughter, food, friendship, and lots of hugs/kisses for the baby-of-honor.

Doug and I chose the following life verse to read at Sophie's baptism: (Joshua 1:9) Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord will be with you wherever you go.

Here are some wonderful photos to document this special event:

Auntie Pip came from Sydney to celebrate Sophie.

D, E, and S Whitfield

The Whitfield clan minus Uncle Josh

The Johnson side

Conquering the World (baby-style)

This week's developments: rolling from tummy to back (and once from back to tummy), "standing" in the exersaucer, holding her head up with strength and control, and understanding "cause and effect" by punching buttons and keys to hear music and see lights.

She's growing up too fast :)

PS. I hear the public loud and clear.....Sophie continues to look more like her daddy every day!