Fun with Cousins

Yesterday we got to spend a little time with April, Layla, and Finn.

Here is the best shot of the three cousins we could get...


I like this one of Landon and Finn. They are going to be such good buddies


Here is Landon about to eat the couch

Aiden Brian

We got to meet our sweet nephew this past weekend. Landon seemed like a giant compared to the little guy. Brady and Mandy are doing very well and are enjoying their new edition.

Caught this sweet smile while he was sleeping...

The two daddies and bubbies...

Back for a bit

Landon and I drove from Iowa to Tulsa today. My mom helped me drive the first half of the trip and we were able to take a little nap in Kansas City at the hotel my dad was staying at. Landon slept the rest of the four hour drive so that was wonderful! We had a very nice trip. We plan to turn around and get going again. This time to Hutchinson, KS to see that new precious nephew of ours.

Here is Landon learning to how to stand:

Faith & Love

Genesis 22

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.

12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."

The faith of Abraham is amazing. The Lord told him that he was going to create a nation from his bloodline, Abraham had only one son and was asked to sacrifice him. Isn't it amazing that Abraham never questioned God when He told him to sacrifice his one and only son? I can't imagine what was going through Abraham's mind... No one had ever been resurrected at this point in history, yet did he think the Lord was going to raise him from the dead if he did in fact sacrifice his son? Wow, to trust the Lord in this way... May the Lord increase my faith!

Reading this story also makes me think of the Lord's love for us. That the Father did not stop His own hand from sacrificing His only Son for the sake of us sinners. What love is this? To give up His one and only and perfect son for the sake of another... May we praise Him today for His great love!

More Giggles

Landon just loves his aunt Bekah. She can make him laugh more than almost anyone! Here he is giggling...

He's Here!

Aiden Brian is here! He weighed in at 7 lbs and was 19 inches long. I'm still in Iowa, but plan on going to Hutchinson to see the baby on Friday. I will post pictures sometime this weekend. Praise the Lord for a safe delivery!

A NEW COUSIN!

My sister-in-law, Mandy, is currently in labor. She is at 8 cm and going all natural. Pray for her and the baby! I'll update as I hear more...

Last Labor Day...

I was just reflecting back to last year at this time. I found out on Labor Day that I was pregnant - the best news ever! It is neat to look back and see how much has changed in a year. We are so thankful the Lord carried me and our precious boy safely through my pregnancy and allowed us to be parents to such an amazing blessing!

Here is the link to what I wrote when I found out that I was pregnant...

Finding Out

Dubuque

We stayed at my parent's house Friday night then Saturday woke up and took the 3 hour drive over to Dubuque. We left the house at 9:30am and I wanted to make a quick stop at Walgreens on our way out. While I was there I found an amazing deal on diapers. I got 6 huge packs of wipes, and about 7 packs of diapers (a mix of Huggies, Pampers, and Walgreens) and only paid $3.00! The Pampers packs of wipes were marked $1.59 then you took half off that price then I had coupons, so needless to say it was an amazing deal!

We got to Dubuque at around 2:30. We went out to eat to a nice restaurant with a view of the river. We had a great time catching up with Janelle and other old friends. Seth's aunt and uncle just moved to Dubuque so we stayed with them on Saturday night and had a nice time visiting.

Here are some pictures from part A of our trip...

Me & Janelle



Family Picture



Couple shot

Crazy Eyes

To Iowa we go

We're off again! This time to Iowa. The first part of the weekend we plan to go to Dubuque to visit my friend Janelle. We went to Emmaus together for two years, were R.A.'s together for a year, and roommates for a year. I haven't seen her in over a year so we are very excited. Seth's aunt and uncle just moved to Dubuque as well, so Seth's mom is coming with us to visit them. The rest of my time will be spent with my family and friends, it should be a very nice trip. I get to stay until Wednesday since we will be bringing back my old car. So, pray for safety on the road and a cooperative baby ;)

All ready to go

Jumperoo

This week in Tulsa is the semi-annual JBF sale. If you have never been to a JBF sale, you have to check it out. JBF stands for "Just Between Friends" and it is a HUGE baby, kids, maternity consignment sale. Check out this site to find out when they are having one in your area. You can also sell things at this sale, so if you have stuff you need to get rid of and want to make a little cash, this is a way to do it. Today, I found this Jumperoo for $15 and Landon absolutely loves it.

My new camera is here!

I just got my camera in the mail! Here are some of my first shots. It is so much better than my old one. I still need to do a lot of experimenting, but I'm loving being able to take pictures again.

Landon went for his follow-up appointment for his ear infection. The doctor said his ear still looked a little swollen, but that it was healing up. He was 15lb 10oz (50th%) and 26.5in (95th%). I'll be back later with more pictures :)

Hanging out in his exersaucer...



This one turned out a little fuzzy, but I like his expression :)

Green Smoothies

Check out this site if your interested in healthy eating. Be sure to watch the video demonstration.

A couple of years ago I started struggling with joint problems and have been learning a lot about how much my diet affects my pain. A couple weeks ago I started drinking 32 ounces of Green Smoothie a day and I have been feeling great with very minimal joint pain. It's hard enough to get your 7 fruits and veggies a day, but the smoothies I have been making have about 8-10 servings in that alone! I was a little leery to try this at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. I recommend you start with a handful of spinach or so and work your way up. I have tried both spinach and kale and I can't taste it at all, it's just a delicious, refreshing smoothie. Oh and I don't usually drink it all at once. I make it in the morning and sip on it throughout my day. It's a good snack replacer too.

Here's what I've been putting in mine this week:

4 cups of Kale (each loosely packed cup counts as a serving)
1 cup orange juice
2 bananas (usually I freeze one or both ahead of time)
1 cup berries (strawberries this week)
1 peach
1 kiwi

Blend the Kale or spinach up with the OJ first, then add the rest of the ingredients and enjoy! Let me know if you try it and what you think.

Evelyn - Urgent Prayer Request

My friend, Grace, delivered her baby last week, Evelyn. Then, two days ago, the baby wasn't eating well the entire day. Later that day, she was sleeping very deeply and they had a really hard time trying to wake her up, then when they finally did wake her up, she wouldn't stop crying. They took her into the ER and they said the baby was in shock. She was admitted to the PICU and is now on a vent and has a central line. They are unsure of what is wrong at this point, but please keep this little one and her parents, Grace and Brandon, in your prayers. Grace's sister is updating us on her blog a few times a day. Thank you for praying!

A Trip to the Zoo

Today, Brooke, April, the kids, and I headed to the zoo. The kids included a two year old, a one year old (today actually, happy birthday Finn!), an 8 month old, and my three month old. It was a little crazy trying to push three strollers through the doors, one of them being a double! Landon didn't seem to impressed (he fell asleep), but I'm sure next year at this time he will love it. Layla loved looking at the monkeys.

It was a little hot, so we headed to the mall to cool off. I had a nice Chick-Fil-A Oreo milkshake (if you haven't tried one, you gotta!). The kids played in the play place and had a good time.

It's nice to get out in the real world - any mom knows what I mean :)

Sorry, I don't have any pictures to show because of my broken camera... BUT after some research and getting our hands on some cameras, we finally decided on one we like. It is the Canon SD750. I have been dying not being able to take pictures! I just feel like Landon is changing before my eyes. So, at the beginning of next week I should have some new pictures. Here's a picture of my new camera.

A little surprise

While I was gone, Seth decided to surprise me with a dishwasher! Today, Seth's dad came over and installed it. I am so excited to not have to wash dishes by hand anymore. It will really help me keep my kitchen clean.

BEFORE



AFTER

First Giggles

We took this over Seth's lunch break today. Landon was being a very happy boy.

Home!

We're back and we had a great time! Poor Landon got another ear infection while we were there, but he is doing much better now. I still don't have a camera :( but my sister took lots of good pictures that I hope to share. Landon started giggling while we were there and even rolled over once!

One story I thought I'd share about my five year old nephew. He had found a walking stick (the bug, not a stick) at some point while we were there. He lost it one day and was asking everyone, "have you seen my walking stick??!" No one had... He went into his room and after a little while, my younger sister went in to check on him. He was on his knees on the side of his bed praying, "Lord, can you pleeeeease help me find my walking stick? I really miss him, so please help me find him." She comes out and tells us all and seriously moments later he runs out, " I found my walking stick!!!" Now, that's what I call child like faith! :) I thought it was so cool how the Lord answered his prayer.

Bye Bye

Today we are leaving for Kansas City where I will meet up with my family. Tomorrow Seth will come back to Tulsa and I will go with my family to Osage Beach, Missouri. We have done this trip the past few years and I am excited to be able to go. Poor Seth is going to have a hard time being away from us... Anyway, we'll be back next Monday if I don't get a chance to post while we're there. Have a great week!