Spring is here!

It is so wonderful that spring is finally here...I guess it hasn't really felt like it the last few days, but at least I am starting to see green grass and have been able to take Maddie outside for some walks lately. It was a long, hard winter! Being cooped up in the house just made it into a long one.

We just finished up a very busy weekend - with it being Brandon's 24th birthday, (Happy Birthday to him!), 2 bridal showers, Nav meetings and events, and time with family, celebrating Brandon's day. I am feeling pretty tired from it all - but it was a good one.

Madeline is 5 months old now - crazy how fast she is growing. She is a lot more fun now - much more personality. She still doesn't take very good naps during the day, which leaves little time for myself and trying to get things done. This definitly has been a stretching thing for me. A couple, who has three young children, was telling us that the first is the hardest - because you really realize how selfish you are with your time. You have to learn that whole "sacrificing" thing - which is really a hard thing to learn, I am finding! Being a mom can be such a thankless job at times - yet at the same time so rewarding. Makes me realize how much I need to keep telling my mom and dad how much I appreciate all they did for me, growing up. I see now how much I took them for granted! Anyways, I have been struggling through some of that lately. I haven't been able to take part in as much of the Nav ministry, as most events are at night, and Madeline is just too tired. We always try to go - but end up leaving, due to a crabby and fussy baby. I get annoyed with her in a way - but then I realize, it's not fair of me to be keeping her up that late! So, there is that sacrifice thing again....I just need to step back I am realizing, and make her the priority. Brandon will tell you that I've been having a hard time with this, but at the same time, I couldn't be happier for this role that God has given me. I do love being a mom. Hey - I get to celebrate my first mother's day this year! :)

Brandon and I did get a much needed date night on Friday. A woman in our ministry offered to babysit - so we got to go out to dinner and a movie. It was wonderful! Having a child can really take away that time we need as a couple - we are seeing how vital those regular date nights are to our relationship. Brandon has been such a great husband and dad - I am so thankful for him! We had a fun weekend, celebrating his birthday. I cannot stop thanking God for how much He has blessed me!

Be in prayer for the Navigators ministry at UMD. It has been a different year - and we have lost a lot of interest. We are praying really hard for a fresh start in the fall. Be praying for a load of new freshman students that can re-energize the ministry once again. I am excited to see what God has in store for us! We are in the planning stages right now, of what Navs is going to look like at UMD in the fall.

Once again, I'll post some new photos of Madeline. It has been a really long time since I've written! Time just flies around here! Thinking of all of you, my dear friends and family!

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.