my new Valentine

So, we've made it through a month of my going back to work full time. I have to say the transition has been harder than I expected it to be. Finding the "balance" is not inherent in a working mom's psyche; it is something learned. My heart will forever be home with my daughter, yet I still feel called to my work. How do I handle it? With lots of prayer, self-grace, a supportive husband, and one...day...at...a...time... :)

I haven't updated in awhile--one of those things that I have had to tell myself to let go for a bit--but lots is happening in our lives. Our precious little girl is getting more interactive, more chatty, more studious, and more fun every day! Her little personality is forming and seems to be similar to her mother's (if I do say so myself!). She is a very content little girl who loves to have books read to her, play with her rattle, listen to music, and chat with whoever seems interesting to her. :) She has figured out how to roll over from her back to her belly, and does it often in her bed. She started on a little bit of rice cereal once a day, and loves to move it around in her mouth with her tongue--sometimes spitting it out, but for the most part will swallow it.

I said before how having Leah in my life changes my perspective on a lot of things; this remains very true in my daily life. Everything with her is a new little adventure as she figures out the world around her and I figure out how to be the best mom. This past month we also celebrated her baptism. I hope to talk more about that special day in a separate post, because that day deserves special recognition!

So, we continue on...but here are some photos of my little "valentine" from the past few weeks:

reading in bed...just like mommy!!

first sledding adventure!

liking her new jumper

yummy rice cereal!!

happy birthday dad!

Leah's thoughts on life...once you start a conversation with her, it's hard to end it!! :)




Jason also turns 30 today...happy birthday hon! Welcome to the thirties club!

A new year!

If I had to describe 2009 in one word, it would have to be UNBELIEVABLE.

I have to say this past year was truly one of the most amazing years of my life.  I started out in Bangladesh, came home to learn about the power of faithful budgeting, then discovered I was pregnant--and already 11 weeks along!, then had to learn how to handle end of life issues within my own family and plan a memorial service for my father-in-law, then took a break and had a super fun vacation with friends and family, and then had a beautiful baby girl, and now am a mother!!  This was all while still taking graduate classes and working a job I still love and am passionate about. :)

I have to chuckle at this excerpt from my post of January 1, 2009:
"I look forward to the experiences God has in store for me for 2009. Happy, sad, fearful, thrilling...whatever they may be they will continue to mold me and I look forward to every opportunity!"  Little did I know at the time what God truly did have in store; and when I reflect back on it, I get teary-eyed with amazement at how God works in my life.  He speaks in every moment and in every event He has carefully crafted into my life.

One of my most favorite songs is sung by Mandisa and the words, I believe, speak to my past year and the coming year...a reminder that all the experiences in my life are used by God to remind me how much He loves me!

Have you ever heard a love song, that set your spirit free?
Have you ever watched a sunrise and felt you could not breathe?
What if it's Him.
What if it's God speaking.

Have you ever cried a tear that you could not explain?
Have you ever met a stranger who already knew your name?
What if it's Him.
What if it's God speaking.

Who knows how He’ll get ahold of us?
Get our attention to prove He is enough.
He’ll do, and He’ll use whatever He wants to.
To tell us, I Love You.

Have you ever lost a loved one
Who you thought should still be here?
Do you know what it feels like
to be tangled up in fear?
What if He’s somehow involved?
What if He’s speaking through it all?

Who knows how He’ll get ahold of us?
Get our attention to prove he is enough.
He’ll do and He’ll use whatever He wants to
To tell us, I love you.

His ways are higher
His ways are better
Though sometimes strange
What could be stranger than God in a manger?

Who knows how He’ll get ahold of us?
Get our attention to prove He is enough.
Who knows how He’ll get ahold of you?
Get your attention to prove he is enough.
He’ll do and He’ll use whatever He wants to,
To tell us I love you
God is speaking, I love you
 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow and I look forward to the blessings of 2010!!

Christmas with Leah

so, Christmas tends to be one of my more relaxing holidays...but I think that has changed now that I have a child!  Count 'em: SIX...that's six parties/family gatherings!  Good thing Leah and her parents are pretty laid back people....however, it does feel good to be home today....finally able to relax.  Leah is already working on her second nap of the day! :)

I've mentioned before how important family and friends are to me; to now share that love with my daughter was probably one of the best presents I was able to receive this year.  So, our Christmas in pictures:

Leah falls asleep in grandpa's arms before she even gets to open her presents! :)

sleeps through the new book from grandma...

sleeps through her first baby doll...

photo op with cousin Greyson...he was very excited!

this is a classic photo of the children of my friends since high school--it was one of our most fun reunion moments ever! :)

family Christmas photo...not one of Leah's better smiles... ha ha :)

it's the most wonderful time of the year

December is one of my most favorite months of the year, and this year has proven to be no exception!  We've been busy...visiting Santa, decorating a Christmas tree, finishing two graduate classes, baking lots of goodies, shoveling out from a Michigan snowstorm, two month old doctor visit, and church Christmas program...these are start the start of our month!

Highlights:
--visiting Santa was obviously not so much a highlight for Leah as she won't even remember it, but it sure was fun for mom & dad! (ha, ha)

--finishing two graduate classes freed up a lot of my time and made decorating and preparing for Christmas a lot more fun.  A huge load off me, especially with Jason being put on second shift right now...

--two month old Leah visited her doctor to learn that she is up to 10 pounds, 15 ounces in weight and 22 1/2 inches long...both right in the 50th percentile!  The doctor commented at what a beautiful baby she is--and of course, we couldn't disagree. :)  She did also get three little shots to which she screamed about and I will admit I got a little teary eyed, but after a few sucks on the pacifier, she was okay and smiling at me again.  What a little trooper!

--Leah also had the opportunity to play her first role in her church's Christmas program.  Since she is still working on her singing voice, she was given the role of baby Jesus in which her direction was to lay sweetly in the arms of Mary and not cry! :)  She did brilliantly.

With many more activities to enjoy this season, we look forward to the celebration of Christ's birth!

thankful

One thing I enjoy about blogging is that it documents significant events in my life. I now have a place to go back and remember what I was doing one year/two years ago. For instance, two years ago, I was thankful for the fact that we had just sold Jason's house in Holland. Last year, well, I don't know, I didn't document the month of November very well... :) But, I do know I tend to have pretty busy fall seasons as I have taken graduate classes for a few years now and that always leads to a busy fall and then leads up to the busy holiday season.

No surprise, but this year was a bit different. I continue with my graduate classes, but not while working my typical job. This year it has been while learning to be a mother! I cannot describe how this bundle of joy has changed my life...physically, mentally, emotionally...it is phenomenal! Thanksgiving was just another day in my life this fall as I have found that every day is my thanksgiving now. Of course for Leah, but also for all the things that she has brought into focus in my life and relationships every single day. Things are more meaningful and precious as I start to observe and reflect on how they impact my daughter. Being thankful just seems to be the tip of the iceberg!

But, enough of the ramblings...I want to document this fall too: for the first time in several years, I did not go hunting. I kind of missed it, but was thrilled that my husband did go hunting for the first time in several years! He didn't get anything, but had a lot of fun hanging out with his uncles & cousins. Also, I continue with my two graduate classes which will be wrapping up in the next week. My final degree is coming more & more in sight as I really only have about two classes left and then my final scholarly project...I still hope to be done at the age of 33. :) We also look forward to the Christmas season this year and celebrating with our family and church family. We love them all so much and can honestly say that they are who are most thankful for this year!

Leah is thankful for her hands...she has "discovered" them most recently... :)

a day in the life of Leah

Leah & her parents continue to mesh their lives together as a family...it really is indescribable to explain the thoughts and emotions that becoming a parent entails...but know that it is all good and we are all having fun!

Leah continues to amaze us with her accomplishments...most of which are the smiles that are beginning to come much more frequently. We work hard to do what we can to get them out of her!
Tummy time (or neck crunches as dad calls them) is tough work, but she does it willingly!
Then there is bath time. This is most fun because mommy sings these silly songs to try and get her to smile!

Then there is nap time. She is such a good little girl who takes after her parents and loves her sleep time. Even after laying her down awake, she'll doze off fairly quickly.

And, she continues to follow her pattern of looking just like her dad...love it!