A Boring day....

Today has been a long day! Maddie just won't take a nap - just little 5-10 minute cat naps. It starts to drive me nuts after awhile, because I'd love to get in a little nap myself! :) But she has been happy, so I can't complain. She is such a blessing. She has been smiling and laughing so much more and more each day. I am so blessed to be able to stay at home and see all of these changes taking place each day. Because she is always changing!! She is growing up fast. Last night, Brandon and I tried putting her in her "johnny jump-up." It was hilarious - as she can't really figure it out yet! We of course got it on tape, so she can see it someday and hear her parents laughing uncontrollably at her! :) Haha!





Last week was wonderful. My parents paid for a three-day stay for our family, out at Bluefin Bay, up the north shore. It was an amazing three, relaxing days. It was just good to be away from the house and to have lots of arms to hold Maddie. Brandon and I got some awesome cross country skiing in. It was so beautiful. It really got me in the mood for some more of it! Just wish I had some more time.





Brandon and I joined a small group through church. It has been great fellowship for us - meeting with other couples at similar places in life as us -lots of little babies! Maddie is making lots of new friends. We are reading a book by Chuck Swindol that is called "So You Want to Be Like Christ." I read the first chapter and can tell it's going to be a good one for me! It was on intimacy with God and having discipline. (Something I have not had since Maddie came along.) I hardly get any time in the Word - and I can feel it! The chapter really encouraged me to MAKE time for it - even if it is just for 5 minutes a day. I get so caught up in getting things done around my home before digging into God's word, but I'm realizing how much more I need to make God the priority in my life. Then He'll help me accomplish all of the tasks of the day!





I'm looking at Maddie - she is wearing a shirt that says "I stole my mommy's heart" - that is so true! She is a sweetie. God is good - I feel blessed!

Madeline is so much fun!

Madeline is 2 and a half months now - and is doing so much more interatcting, smiling, and talking! It's so much fun! Check out the latest photos! But I can't write more...she is crying for me to come get her. :)

A New Year with New Beginnings!

I find I have so little time to get anything done, having a little baby! But I surely am not complaining, because she continues to be such a joy! :) We had a blessed Christmas with lots of family - many meeting Madeline for the first time. Our Christmas was so special, reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ, after we just had our own little one. What a blessing and such a gift! On January 1st, we weren't just celebrating a new year - but we also celebrated our 3 year anniversary! Brandon and I reflected on our 3 wonderful years together and praised God for all of the blessings - which are too many to count! I love being married to him. What a guy! We celebrated by going out for dinner and to a movie. Brandon's mom and sister babysat. (One thing we have found is we are not without lots of free babysitters!)

Madeline continues to grow by leaps and bounds. I can't believe how big she has gotten already. She is 6 and a half weeks old now. She is more alert and is even starting to smile at us! My favorite times with her are when she is alert and kicking and moving her arms all over the place. She gets very excited - it's so cute! I see her change a little bit more each day. I am so blessed to be able to stay at home and watch all of these changes. I have been told they grow up fast - so I am enjoying every minute. I enjoy the moments when I am feeding her - as I often use it as a time to pray and put her in the hands of God.

Well, happy 2008 to you all! Praying that you all trust God more and more as you go through a new year. (I know that is what I am praying for myself!)

It's a Girl!

What a Thanksgiving to be thankful! On Wednesday, November 21st, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., God blessed Brandon and I with the most beautiful baby daughter. We named her Madeline Joy, and will call her Maddie for short. She was 7 lbs., 14 oz., and she is 19.5 inches long. Maddie is very healthy and happy. We couldn't be happier! God has blessed us so richly. Neither Brandon nor I can stop staring at her gorgeous face. Praise God for a smooth delivery and a beautiful baby. Thank you so much for your prayers, love, and support. Hope you get to meet Madeline soon!

Still waiting...

Well, we still don't have any news to report. Still waiting... I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. Haven't dilated any more - but she says I am ready to go at any time. We scheduled an induce date for Tuesday night at 8 p.m. if our little one hasn't arrived by then. I am hoping we don't make it to that date - but at least there is an end in sight at this point. I think inducing would make me nervous - knowing what is going to come. At this point, I have no idea when it'll happen, so I'm pretty oblivious - but with inducing, you just have to sit there and wait for it all to begin.

Still have been pretty bored. I actually put up our Christmas tree this week, for something to do! It looks beautiful. I just love Christmas time, and it has been fun decorating our new home. Come over for a visit! Plus, I know my time will be a little less once baby arrives, so it's ok that I got it up early. :)

Past the Due Date!

Well, yesterday was baby's due date, and unfortunately, our baby girl is still not here. This waiting game is getting tough! I can tell God is trying to teach me patience, as everywhere I went this morning, I had to WAIT for something - wait in line, wait for the picture maker machine, wait for help...all along with waiting for this baby to pop out! :) I am trying to make the most of this time before she comes - cleaning the house, get caught up on scrapbooking - but it seems like all I can think about is "when is this baby going to come out to meet us?!?!" I thank everyone for their prayers and phone calls of concern. Hopefully she'll be here soon for you all to meet! Both Brandon and I just can't wait to see God's little miracle.

Baby Showers and Blessings!

I feel like all I do is wait! It's like...it could happen anytime, but WHEN? Makes me nervous to think about going out sometimes...but at the same time, I know that it wouldn't be that big of a deal if my water broke in the grocery store. It's something I can't control! :) But the due date is 3 days away...praying I come early! My sister had a wonderful shower for me this past week, in which the Navigator girls came. It was so much fun, and I left feeling so surrounded by love and support for Brandon, baby, and myself. At one point, the girls came around me and laid hands on me, to pray for us and the baby. What a blessing! We are covered in prayer - we could not ask for more!

I have been busy scrapbooking - trying to get caught up on all of my pictures before baby comes, because I know my time will be much less when she arrives! Otherwise, besdies subbing a few days, life hasn't been overly busy as we haven't made many plans, because who knows when baby will come. Will keep updating you on our progress! Hopefully it'll be today! :)