Birthday girl

Once again, it's been months since I've posted on here. I have good intentions of getting better at blogging...we'll see what happens.

We just celebrated Norah's birthday (she turned 3 on Friday). It's hard to believe she's that old already. When I put her to bed on Thursday evening, I was telling her the story of when she was born (she asks for stories about people at night). I got teary as I was telling her and rememberring the details of the night we went to the hospital. We have had some amazing times over the past 3 years, and some difficult times as well. God has been teaching me a lot about grace...how to extend it, even when I don't feel like it. He extends His grace to me daily, even when I don't deserve it...and I want to be able to show my children that grace also. Wow, some days it's not easy.

Norah woke up on her birthday and came downstairs with a big smile on her face. We gave her her gift, then had birthday pancakes (she basically just ate the frosting). After Lilly woke up, we got ready and headed to the library, then got to go visit Daddy at work. She really enjoyed going up the moving stairs (escalator)! :) We had a really fun day together and she just seemed to big! :)

Today was her party...Norah loves chocolate. And I couldn't get any ideas from her on what kind of cake she wanted. So we decided to go really chocolately and had an M&M cake. She loved it, and was very sugared up! Once again, she just ate the M&Ms and frosting. She had a blast playing the her cousins and auntie Kylee.

Today was also Lilly's baby dedication at church. Pastor chose a scripture from Jeremiah to decicate Lilly to the Lord. Jeremaih 32:39 says, "I give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them." He talked about how important it is for us to fear the Lord and follow Him, but also how important it is for us to raise our children up to fear the Lord...praying that they might come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior at the earliest possible age. I think sometimes I just assume my kids will walk with the Lord...but that's not an absolute. I was challeneged today with the importance of continuing to pray for my children and to live a life that they can learn from.



Since it's been at least three months since I've posted on here, I need to give a few updates. Lance and I moved into our new house at the end of July (pictures to come, someday)! We are loving where we are, and Norah also seems to have adjusted right away. We have a swing set and sand box in our backyard...what more could my little girl want?! :) She loves to play school with her 'friends' on the swingset. I often catch her singing to her friends and just talking away to them. She has quite the imagination! She also loves being a big sister. Norah often wants to sit with Lilly on the couch, and always wants to come upstairs with me to get her up after naps! I am very thankful for how Norah has accepted her sister as part of the family.

Norah is very interested in painting or coloring right now. She loves to play with her babies...even disciplining them when they don't obey. One night we listened to her in the bathroom talking to her baby about grace. I loved hearing her explanation of what grace is, and knowing that she is catching some of what we talk to her about! She keeps us entertained all day long...she never stops moving and never stops talking and asking questions!

Lilly is a super mellow little girl. She is a great napper and overall, a pretty content little girl. She is getting ready to crawl and jabbers constantly. She loves to eat...and LOVES her thumb!! :)

We really enjoyed our summer, though it flew by. We were so busy with our move, that summer really went by in the blink of an eye. Norah's birthday always signifies the start of a new year...getting back into our routine. Life with two kids is busy, but we are thankful for where the Lord has us.

Where have the last 3 months gone...

It doesn't seem that long ago that we were bringing Lilly home. Now, she's 3 months old! Lots has happened since then, so here are some highlights and updates!

Lance and I have been looking to buy a house for the past 4-5 months. The house we are in, we have been renting for the past 4 years. We found out in January that the landlords wanted to put it on the market in the spring. Thus, started the house hunt. It was a long process, but we have finally found a home!! We are super excited. The closing date is set for July 26th.

Norah is enjoying being a big sister. She is a big help to me, and every day I see more and more how grown up she is. She loves reading to herself right now...she spends lots of time during the day 'reading' stories. I love listening to her version of the story. She is constantly asking us questions, and remembers everything we tell her!!

Lilly has become a pretty content baby. Though, she won't take a bottle or a nuk, she is pretty content to just sit and watch whatever is happening in the house! She found her voice recently...it's so fun to talk to her and have her try to talk to us! She recently rolled from tummy to back, and holds her head up high when she's on her tummy!

In the middle of May, Lance started a new job. We are so thankful how the Lord provided a new opportunity!

Lance and I just celebrated 7 years of marriage! I am so very thankful for him and this life we share! We were able to get out for a few hours and just enjoy each other!

Today, I sat and watched Norah play and Lilly in her swing and thought to myself...I love being a mommy! :) Of course there are hard days, but I am trying to take it all in and enjoy these days with my babies at home! I know the time goes so fast, and before I know it they're going to be big girls! I am thankful every day that I can be home with them!

I probably won't get the blog updated again until after we are moved in!

Meet Lillian Mabel

So, I am very late in getting our blog updated. Lillian (Lilly) Mabel arrived March 18th, at 10:42 am. She was 7 lbs. 8 oz., 20 1/2 inches long. Here are some pictures from the hospital. Norah was very excited to meet her, and wanted to hold her right away!

We came home on the 20th. We were greeted by Norah and my mom. We were very thankful Mom came to stay here with Norah, so Norah didn't have to leave and go somewhere else. They had lots of fun. Here are some pics of coming home, around the house, and a visit from Great Grandma Mabel!

And here are a few more cute photos. Lilly is 3 1/2 weeks old now. We are still adjusting. But love having two girls! So thankful for how God has blessed us.

Waiting...hoping...trusting

We are so anxious to meet our baby girl! We've been waiting 38 weeks, hoping for a healthy pregnancy, and trusting the Lord to work His will in our lives throughout this pregnancy! Norah was born at 37 1/2 weeks, so I'm already past the point I was with her.

Here are some pics that Lance's cousin took for us a couple weeks ago. I was just over 35 weeks in these pictured. Thanks, Kaylin!

I am hoping to deliver soon! But, again, we are trusting that God is in control, and He knows when this baby will come. Waiting is sometimes hard, but I am trying to make the most of this time with Norah. She has a cold right now, and had a bit of a traumatic experience yesterday, so she's been really lovey and 'huggy' as she told me today! Yesterday, she fell off a chair as she was trying to climb up by herself. I'm pretty sure one of her bottom teeth cut right through, just underneath her bottom lip. She hasn't complained much about it, but it doesn't look good.

Wanted to get another belly picture, just in case I would deliver soon! This is today, 38 weeks! Baby seems to be very healthy, and is very active! It's pretty amazing to think that there is a full-term baby inside me right now! Maybe the next time I blog, we will have a baby!!

Getting close

We are getting excited to meet our new little girl. I am 34 weeks right now...so, realistically, baby could come at any time! Norah affectionately refers to her little sister as Baby Cookie! The nickname has stuck with all of us. We don't quite have Baby Cookie's room ready yet, but we're working on it! Norah seems excited, though I'm sure it'll be a big transition for all of us.

Here is a quick recap of the past few months.

Lance, Norah, and I had a great week in Ogema, celebrating with lots of family during Christmas. Here are some pics of her and her grandparents (and our family Christmas picture).

Norah loves to get outside. But, unfortunately, Mommy doesn't take her out much. So she has to wait for the weekends when Daddy can spend time with her outside!

A couple weeks ago, Lance was in a wedding for a high school and college friend. Norah was with us for part of the time, and really enjoyed the dance floor.

And here are some baby bump pics. 

I have been so thankful for the recent Bible study we went through at our Thursday morning Women's study (at our church). God has been teaching me so much, about waiting on His timing, being still before Him, being desperate for Him, and the importance of being in His Word daily. I have really been hungering more for His Word, and spending time with Him. We have talked about the fact that we WILL face trials in our Christian walk, but the Bible says, "In this world you will have trouble. But take courage, I have overcome the world" John 16:33. What a comfort to know that God has it all under control. Nothing that happens in our life is by chance. He knows it all, way before we know it's coming. One of my life verses is this... Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father, and the fact that I don't need to worry, because He's got my back!

Just an update

This is a fun, and busy time of year for us! Lance took the week of Thanksgiving off, so we went to visit our families and Lance hunted. We hopped from one house to the next, and enjoyed some wonderful time with our families! We have so very much to be thankful for! It seems fitting that I read this verse yesterday, just to remind me...Psalm 118:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. We are so blessed! Thanksgiving is a time to remember/celebrate that, but truly, we need to be thankful all year long! This is something I am trying to dwell on more often than I do...even the 'little' blessings like when Norah takes a long nap, or when Lance gets home from work early! :) There are so many 'little' blessings every day, and focussing on those, rather than the negatives of the day, makes for a much happier mommy and wife!

Here are a few pics from the past couple of months. I haven't done well with pictures, or blogging. I'm just not a great blogger. But...to catch you up... I am 23 weeks. We found out at the beginning of November, that Norah will have a baby sister! She affectionately calls her baby sister 'Cookie'. Not sure where that came from, but it's cute, and we're sticking with it! We are working with her to try and remind her of how to treat babies, that we're bringing a baby home with us in a little while, and that she's going to be a big sister! I don't know how much she understands, but she seems to get it at least a little!

Norah keeps us laughing and smiling most days! She continues to surprise us with the hilarious things she says! The other day I was telling her I loved her soooooo much, and she replied...grandma loves me to pieces (my mom often tells her this)! She has a very funny sense of humor and brings us so much joy! She loves her puzzles, babies, and recently has gotten interested in play-doh and cutting paper! She sings all the time...it's amazing how many songs she picks up from Sunday school or Puggles! Here are some silly pictures from the past few weeks...

Tomorrow we go to get our Christmas tree. Norah is excited, and we are too! Both Lance and I love having the house decorated, and enjoying the lights!

Fall is here

The last couple of weeks have been busy for us. We  celebrated Norah's birthday a couple weeks ago (I barely got any pictures that day, but the pictures we have on here are what my mom took of the cake time)! We had a fun afternoon with our family, and Norah really enjoyed her 'Bob cake'! :) I had asked her quite awhile before her birthday if she wanted a Veggie Tale party, and she clearly responded that she wanted a Bob cake! So, that's what we did...a Bob cake, and Bob cake pops!

 Norah got her first haircut last weekend! She had a bit of a baby mullet, and I was ready to get rid of it. Though we can't get cute pig-tails in very easily anymore, she looks like a big girl with her hair all one length! Now we are ready for it to start growing!!

We have tried to get outside with the beautiful fall weather we've had. My mom came for a visit last week and we had fun doing this photo shoot with Norah. She did a great job smiling for us!

Today we went downtown to the Harvest Fest. It was a very chilly day, but it was nice to get out. Norah enjoyed the swings and slide the most...but she also seemed to like the animals and pumpkin patch.

That's a quick update on our lives for the past couple of weeks. We are really enjoying this stage with Norah. She is lots of fun...and so interactive and talkative!

She's 2

Two years ago today, our precious little girl came into our lives! We can't believe two years have gone by. She has grown up so much, and has brought us so much joy. We praise the Lord for His goodness, and blessing us with this busy, fun, energetic, silly, and tender little girl. Happy Birthday Norah! We love you.

It's been awhile

I have not done very well this summer, keeping up our blog. There will be lots of pictures to post from our summer, but here's a bit of what we've been up to since our last post.

Norah loved to be outside (at least at the beginning of summer). We spent a lot of time playing in her pool (especially early on in the summer when we had such beautiful weather). We decided to put her little slide into the pool, so she could slide in and splash. It was lots of fun! She and Lance play outside most days when he gets home from work. Daddy is much more fun outside than Mommy!!

We enjoyed lots of visits from Grandmas and Grandpas, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends!

Norah enjoyed a few trips to the library for story time. It's such a great program that our library offers. They would read a story, then sing a song, and repeat that a few times. We didn't know anyone there, but Norah had lots of fun anyway! We also made multiple trips to the pool and the park...two of Norah's favorites this summer! Norah had fun at a small petting zoo that Wausau had at the Balloon Rally and Glow. She loves animals, and doesn't have much fear around them.

At the end of July, we found out I am expecting!!! I am almost 12 weeks, and we are thrilled. I am due March 28th. Norah thinks the baby is a boy...time will tell! I had a few weeks of laying low and not doing much, and Norah was a trooper. She did well with just hanging out with Mom and reading LOTS of books. This girl LOVES her books! She often reads to herself if we are busy and not able to read to her!

Lance ran in a 1/2 triathlon again this year. He cut 13 minutes off his time from last year, and felt really good afterwards. He is really enjoying running right now...running a few days a week, and running long runs on the weekends!

I am enjoying the change in weather, and getting into a routine again. Fall is my favorite time of the year...the crisp weather, caramel apples, changing leaves, apple cider, pumpkins, and wearing sweatshirts again! I also am really looking forward to our Women's Bible study starting up again this week. I love that our church has such a great Women's ministry, and I'm so thankful for the teachers/facilitators He has placed in the group!

Norah just started in the Awana program at our church...she is a Puggle. For anyone who doesn't know, Puggles is for 2 year olds. She had a great time last week and has been talking about it constantly. Even at 2, they teach the kids verses. The day after Awana, Norah was saying something to me over and over...I couldn't understand her, so asked her to repeat it. She said, "God made everything, Momma"! :) She remembered her verse from the night before, and that melted this momma's heart! I love that she is learning God's Word at such a young age. (Picture below is her first night of Puggles).

Norah is at such a fun stage right now (also a very challenging stage)! :) She is talking up a storm, and remembers so much. She loves books, Veggie Tales, chapstick, swinging, and most recently puzzles!  She is sometimes snuggly at bedtime...we take advantage of those times!

A couple weeks ago Norah told me she loved me for the first time. It was very sweet and made me tear up. (She was very clever to say this when I was getting frustrated with her for not eating her breakfast)!

I so love being a mom, and I'm very thankful for how God has provided for us to allow me to be home.

Father's Day

 

 

Camping

 

 

Summer

Mother's Day

Summer...

I have started, multiple times, to update our blog...but always got distracted by something else, and just never came back to it! So, here's what we've been up to...

We had lots of celebrating in April. We celebrated Easter with some good friends from church and celebrated both of our birthdays (I was blessed to have a surprise party thrown by a dear friend...Hibachi grill and a movie with my girlfriends. It was a great night). At the end of April, Norah's eye teeth started coming in. We had 3-4 rough weeks, waiting for all of them to pop through. We are very thankful they are all in now!

At the beginning of May we bought a van! And we LOVE it! It has been so wonderful to have the space, convenience, and comfort of a van.

We did our first camping weekend with Norah, at the beginning of June. We went with my parents, my sister and her family, and a cousin and his family. Norah did really well...Lance and I were both pleasantly surprised that she adjusted to the camping schedule, sleeping in a camper, eating outside, etc.

Norah is talking up a storm. She is putting lots of words together, and occasionally even puts 3 or 4 words together to form a sentence.  She will (sometimes) sit and listen to a whole book...for those of you that know Norah, this is progress. She rarely sits still, so it's been fun to have her sit on our laps and just sit there, listening! She loves Veggie Tales and Diego. She is starting to sing songs with us, and loves to dance when there's music on.

Lance and I have been enjoying the start of summer! He has gotten in a few rounds of golf already, and is enjoying being able to run outside. I planted a small garden again this year, and have been enjoying watching the plants pop up. Norah and I get outside many times throughout the day. Today she was playing with my watering can, and I heard her say 'foggie in 'er'. Sure enough...there was a frog in there! Didn't bother her in the least...she wanted to play with it!

I have really been enjoying my job as a stay at home wife and mother these past few weeks! Norah is getting to a point where she is pretty content to play on her own while I'm busy. And she is starting to get more interested in the things I'm doing and 'helping' a little! She is at such a fun stage right now, and it's so helpful now that she can communicate with us!

I will be getting pictures posted sometime soon. Stay tuned....

Ever Green

I read something today from Jill Briscoe, that really challenged me. Thought I'd share it with you.

"A tree with roots in the riverbank will be ever green. The leaves are green, the branches are strong, the trunk is solid, the roots are deep. Similarly, the woman who chooses to live a spiritually vibrant life will choose to be a 'planted' person, like a tree planted in a channel where the water never stops flowing. God's grace plants his followers in running streams of his love. These 'trees' have to flourish, for they have all they need.

We need to find out what sort of people we are--planted by the riverbank or blowing across the desert. If we are God's people, he plants us in his river of salvation, where our roots are bathed in the water of eternal life. We need to let our roots drink deeply of this living water so we can be transformed. If we are truly planted, we will be productive, however hot the desert sun or barren the wilderness around us. Planted people are joyous people (Ps 1:1--Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.) Our soul, like the tree with its roots in the river that flows from the throne of God, will be ever green."

This made me think...am I a spiritually vibrant woman...is my life ever green... are my branches strong...are my roots in the riverbank, or blowing across the desert? I have all I need, in my Savior, so why don't I drink deeply of this living water more often? Is my focus on the material and temporal, or the spiritual and eternal? Am I delighting in Him throughout my day? He has blessed us so abundantly, yet I seem to focus on the things I don't have. Why do I do this? When I sit down and take an inventory on all He has blessed us with, it is a pretty amazing list! Here are just a few...

Eternal life

A loving, supportive husband

A little girl who brings us so much joy (and trouble!) every day

Extended family who live close

A home to rent

Wonderful Christian friends

A church family

Two cars that still run

Lance's job

Being home with Norah

Babysitting-giving Norah a playmate

Good health

Food in our fridge

Clothes in our closet

Gas in our car

Running water

Heat on the cold days

...

The list could go on and on...but these are just a few. I have been trying to look at these blessings, and remember that they are just that...blessings and not burdens. Some days I can look at this list and find the burden instead of the blessing (I want a better car, different clothes, a home of our own, a daughter who doesn't cling to my leg all day). But I am trying to be content, and see the blessing instead of the burden!

Norah is becoming a little girl...she isn't a baby anymore. I think part of this is that she is finally getting hair!! She is talking up a storm, and learning something new every day. About a week ago, she was riding in the car with Lance, looking at one of her books and said, "ABC's"! She just happened to be looking at an ABC book! We aren't sure where she learned it, but somehow she learned what letters are, and any letter is "ABC's" to her! One of her new phrases is, "Yah, ok"! She enjoys coloring, reading books (she now 'reads' to herself), riding on daddy's shoulders and running through the house, and watching her "moo-moo's" (movies)! She is such a joy...it's hard to remember what life was like without her part of it! We look forward to spring coming, as she loves being outside! Here are some recent pictures of Norah...

I hope that you will remember the blessings in your life, even on the burdensome days! :)

How Time Flies...

It's hard to believe it's February already. Where does the time go...well, here's where our time has gone over the past two months.

Lance, Norah, and I were all sick over Christmas. We had a variety of bugs (cold, flu, pink eye, sore throat, to name a few). We had a long two weeks...but we were very thankful that Lance had 11 days off during that time! We ended up having to stay here on Christmas Eve due to Norah being sick. It started out as a very sad day, knowing we were missing some time to celebrate with our families. But we made the most of it, and had a nice day as a family. Then we went to visit family in Ogema for a few days after Christmas. It was a nice time of visiting, playing games, eating way more than we needed to, and relaxing!

After Christmas, Lance was in work mode. He has been working on a big project at work, that has consumed many of his hours at home after work. We are thankful the end is in sight, at least with this project! I am also thankful that he is so dedicated to his work, and that he works so hard for our family.

I was thankful to have the chance to help out at a spa night at Ogema Baptist Church in January. I brought my Mary Kay, Satin Hands set. There were a variety of other spa-type services offered at no charge, but donation suggested. Donations went to help support an adoption agency that a lady from the church went through in adopting two children. Later that week, I enjoyed getting together with some childhood friends for breakfast (pictured below)! It was great to get together and catch up! That same day I also did a Mary Kay party at my sisters...thanks Joelle! Some of you may not know, but I sell Mary Kay. I have been doing this for about 2 years, but haven't put a lot of effort into it. It was fun to get together with some of Joelle's friends and to 'get back into it' with a party! (If anyone is interested in having a party or doing facials, let me know!!)

This past weekend, some friends offered to take Norah overnight, so Lance and I could have some one-on-one time! (Thanks Derek and Christy). We enjoyed dinner and a movie, sleeping in, a walk outside on a beautiful 44 degree day, coffee at Starbucks, and some time to relax. The house was so quiet without Norah here, but it made us realize just how much we love her and love having her in our lives. We were thankful for a refreshing time!

Norah is growing and learning more every day. She is so much fun right now. We are very thankful for the joy she brings to our life. Some of her new words that we love hearing are cereal (say-so), thank you (gah-guy), grandma (gah-gah), book (bup), movie (moo-moo), amen, and obey.

You probably noticed a theme of thankfulness in this post. God has been teaching me so much, and through so many different avenues, lately! One thing I continue to be reminded of is His goodness. We are blessed beyond measure. I can find a lot to complain about any given day, but I am trying to remember to be truly thankful for all He has blessed us with. I am so thankful that He chose me... Ephesians 1:4 - "For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight." We truly are blessed to be chosen by Him.