sun day!

kind of like a snow day...only the opposite! :) Actually, my cousin wasn't able to babysit today, and since I have a few comp days to use, I'm home with my girl today. And, we're so lucky to be able to enjoy warm, 80 degree weather as a bonus to our weekday together!

Since she is working on nap number 1 for the day, I thought I'd take a moment to update the ol' blog. I am sticking to my promise to keep it lower on my priority list during this busy season of life, but I'm finding that I have no record of what's going on in our lives then!

So, a brief look at our month of March:

• super busy at work with teaching classes, a state review of the health center, work with nursing students, and couple of trainings for myself--busy month, but rewarding!
• Graduate classes continue--homework, homework, & more homework
  
• Celebrate my 33rd birthday
• Go to Crystal Mountain for an overnight stay in a beautiful cottage with friends & all of our kids. So fun!! Leah experiences swimming for the first time and loves it!
• Leah begins sleeping through the night--12 hours straight!
• Our other "child", Harley, has to be put down. He had been growing a tumor for a few months that we had chosen not to treat, but the end was rather abrupt--not something we had expected so soon. We still have moments of emptiness...in our lives and home. I just picture him in heaven--chasing all the squirrels he could ever want!

And, now we're into April! Spring break was last week--we stayed home and thoroughly enjoyed doing so. I love watching my babe grow and see her experiencing all life has to offer in her little world. She is not quite sitting up on her own yet, but loves standing up while holding onto our hands. In fact, most of the time that's all she wants to be doing! She's just a little peanut, but loves to watch & observe everything around her. I know it won't be long until she's off trying to explore everything too!

I also had to make the decision to not involve myself in our church's easter musical. This was a tough one for me as I so enjoy singing in choir; but, I'm learning that other things have to be priorities right now. We often talk about the seasons in one's life--so, this season is about being a working mother and finishing my commitment to graduate school.

I miss writing too. This blog has always been that outlet for me, but finding the time to do it is tough! I know season will change soon though, and I can write a backlog of the multitude of things that I have wanted to write about. :)

In the meantime, it's time to go and enjoy this season's weather with my girl!

laughter is the best medicine

so, we are sharing our love of laughter with our daughter...how can you have a bad day when you share laughter with this cutie pie? ;)

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!