Leah update.

Finally I have been able to upload a couple of Leah's 3-year pics (they apparently are quite big). This is just a sampling...there are more on Facebook. She is a very active and sweet 3 year old. She is learning about sassiness, talking back and how to push the limits. We are often quite frustrated. But, we also love hearing her sweet phrases and love how excited she is to see us even if we were gone for only 10 minutes. She is getting so big and learning so much every day. This stage is very challenging but also very fun. We are looking forward to a great summer!

I should mention that the pictures were taken by a friend from church. Here is her website if you are looking for a photographer. http://pixbyjulie.wordpress.com/welcome/ We got a CD of all the pictures so that we can make whatever prints we want at any time. It is a great deal for fabulous pictures!

Leah turns 3!

We celebrated Leah's 3rd birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. We had no idea what a birthday at Chuck's was like, but we quickly found out. It was very loud, busy and fast. But, I think all the kids, especially Leah, had fun. We had a long table full of friends and family. Leah and Grace were very cute together.


Our fam...

Leah and Grandma Tess (John's mom)

Leah and Grandma and Grandpa (my parents)

Our long table...

Distractions

As I have been learning the world of Facebook, I can't help but think about how I would have been soooo much more distracted as a college student today. Here are some things that I am glad I didn't have in college because my GPA would have been greatly affected:

1. Cell phone - I'm sure it would have come in handy, though
2. Texting on the cell phone - one more reason to not listen to lecture
3. Personal computer - it was very rare to have a computer in the dorm rooms
4. Email/internet - luckily, they were just becoming mainstream my senior year
5. Facebook - 'nough said!
6. Digital camera - I'm sure I would have spent a fair share on pictures
7. MP3 player - I don't have one now, but I'm sure I would have in college...again not listening to lecture
8. PDA - would have been handy, but big distraction
9. DVR - probably would have taped and watched way too many soaps
10. Electronic gaming systems - while I probably wouldn't have had one myself, I'm sure other would

So, I have to say, that while there are many conveniences of today, I am glad that I didn't have to worry about them in college. However, I still found plenty to distract me!!! :)

Merry Christmas!

I can't imagine

Every year I look forward to digging out my Christmas CD's. One of my favs is Glad "An Acapella Christmas." On this CD is the song "One Quiet Moment" which is a song that always touches me. It is a good reminder of what Mary and Joseph were probably going through as the birth of Jesus was nearing. I can't imagine the emotions they were feeling--excitement, fear, uncertainty...it really is unfathomable! The immense faith they exhibit is a true testimony. I wish I could have that kind of faith more often in my life!

"One quiet moment, on a star-clustered night,
Two weary travelers knew an end was in sight;
So the soon to be mother, grasped her husband’s strong hand,
And paused to remember where the journey began.

Nine months of yearning filled with joy and with pain;
He almost had left her, but then chose to remain
Close by the woman he had not even kissed,
Who would bear him a son that would never be his.

And in one quiet moment, a woman and man
Accepted the part they would have in God’s plan;
To give up His glory, and be born as a man.
In one quiet moment. . .

They dreamed of the days they would spend with their son,
Taking walks through the hillsides and watching Him run.
And some days the fingers that had fashioned the stars,
Would reach out to hold them when the walk was too far.

They wrestled with knowing that His life would bring change;
Friends would grow distant, and shun them as strange.
Though they tried not to think it, in their hearts they were sure,
That their baby was destined to die for the world.

And in one quiet moment, a woman and man
Accepted the part they would have in God’s plan;
To give up His glory, and be born as a man.
In one quiet moment. . .

One quiet moment they could suddenly hear
Thousands of angels singing so clear;
“Glory to God, His Salvation is near !”
In one quiet moment . . .
In this one quiet moment . . .
One quiet moment."

Lyrics by Glad “An Acapella Christmas”

It is strange!!!

Well, John and I are currently sitting in our recliners watching TV--- IN OUR BASEMENT! You read it right, my friends, we are officially "moved into" our greatly improved basement. There are still a few small things to finish up, but for the most part, it is done after 2 years and 10 months. It is so weird to be hanging out down here again, but even weirder is that our upstairs looks so much bigger without all the clutter around. A few of my college friends came over tonight to help us get the rest of the stuff down here and help us figure out the best lay-out. So far, so good. After we finished working and ate, we hung out upstairs in our living room which is comfortable and quiet again, just how I remembered and how I like it. Once the holidays are over and we have things a little more organized, we'll have a party to thank everyone who helped us with this project. We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family who have helped get us to this point.

Happy Halloween!

Leah has started this new cheesy smile while posing for pictures. She totally plays it up for the camera.

We obviously thought she was the cutest kid out there on Halloween...but maybe we are a little biased.

We went "trunk or treating" at Grace Fellowship in Champlin. A bunch of cars had their trunks decorated and the kids could trick or treat from the trunks. It was a fun way to do Halloween.

We went with some friends and their little boy, Ryan. Here you can see Ryan more interested in the candy that his mom has. We were trying to get them to pose together. Leah, with hands on the hips, obviously is wanting Ryan to pose with her for the picture. She has those hands on her hips a lot these days...it's great!!

Here is the best we could do. They are too cute!