Back to Life

So, it has been 8 weeks since the little one entered the world. It has been crazy. I've had ups and downs and all arounds, but finally feel like things are settling into a "normal" routine. A new normal, but still. She's sleeping 8-12 hours a night and I can't complain--she's a great baby!

I go back to work two weeks from today. I'm wondering how life will be with that added to the schedule? I feel like I hardly get things done right now while at home all day--laundry, dishes, cooking, grocery lists, cleaning... all between 3 hour feedings and playing with little Lawson. So how will I add working fulltime to this schedule? I really don't know...

I love my job. I have missed the students and my "work life" quite a bit. I've just never been around a female student minister with kids. I've been around single female student ministers and they are the greatest (that used to be me! :) And I've been around men whose wives brought their kids to and from youth events, but could keep them on their routine... But I've never seen a woman do it.

I'm trusting God has been preparing me all along... and that He will give me the strength. I want to do my best in every area of my life! Help me, God!

Christmas Baby

Welcome to the world sweet Baby Girl! Many little socks are just waiting for your cute toes!! What a blessing you are to your awesome parents and grandparents and aunts and uncle and cousins and many friends awaiting your arrival! Gods biggest blessings are waiting just for you, Little Socks!

Bellies, Adjustments, and Christmas Trees

Some of you have been asking for preggo pics. Here's one. Funny how large my belly is... and my face... and my ankles... such a beautiful time in life! Baby should be here soon!

I've always had artificial trees for Christmas. Chris has always had real trees. This year, we got a real tree. I was pretty thrilled on many levels.

1. I got to decorate BEFORE Thanksgiving. Crust wasn't too happy about it, but with me being "great with child" and all, well, he really couldn't argue.

2. The little lots with the white hanging lights are the absolute greatest things... make me think of small towns, simple life, and the magic of Christmastime. We bought our tree during daylight because I was anxious, but Crust promised I can go back and walk around when it's night time.

3. I've ALWAYS wanted to have a tree on top of my car to take home. I love it when I see it around town and now look at us! (notice the new baby equipped vehicle too!)

4. We were the very first tree buyers at our lot! I think we're gonna make this a tradition.

Our house has been undergoing quite a few changes with a new baby on the way. Paisley handles most of it with the grace you would expect from a puggle. However, she had one rough day this past week and it took me a while to find her. Guess she just needed a little space to process.

Candymonium!

Thought I'd share a few pics from our Candymonium! We had a candy blowout in our neighborhood and it was a blast. You can see our costumes below (I'm a "bun in the oven") and Paisley was the cutest little turtle ever! Happy Halloween!




Chris decided he wanted to take some pics of the "fall colors," however, realized there aren't many colors yet. So he settled on some pics of the puggle... he rudely interrupted her going to the bathroom just to get a pic of her while still!

The Sunrise Club

So, my adventurous husband has started a new weekly ritual--the Sunrise Club. On Friday mornings, whoever wants to meet us (mostly a group of senior boys) drives to the lake and we watch the sunrise. This morning, we didn't get to see much of one! The clouds were covering the sun's entry point. Now, don't get me wrong, I like clouds. I actually think sunrises and sunsets are made much more interesting and beautiful when clouds are in the picture. The clouds have a way of magnifying and changing color, and of throwing the sun's light to unexpected places. But when there are too many clouds, well, they just pretty much steal the show. Although, I know the sun is there, I don't have much evidence.

Naturally, my mind goes to all the spiritual connections and how "clouds" in our lives make God's work in them all the more beautiful--we see Him working in the storm and they throw His "light" (hope, truth, grace) in unexpected places. Then there are days when the clouds are so overpowering, we just can't even see His light at all. There are several people on my prayer list right now who are in some pretty cloudy days. I know God brings good out of bad... I know He is hope in the darkness... I know He is present even if He can't be seen. But, I guess my prayers for them changed a little bit today... Although the clouds are present, I pray there's enough of a clearing today for them to see the Son... I pray they see magnified colors... in unexpected places... and as a result, are able to carry on with hope another day.

Maybe next Friday, we'll see some sun?

Happy Anniversary to Me!

October is here and I made a little pumpkin witch to go on my swing. Don't you love my swing? That's what Chris gave me for my birthday. I want to sit on the swing and drink tea with my sweet husband. Today marks one year of being married. I can't believe a whole year has passed! That weekend was so fun, I wish I could relive it all today. We are blessed to have so many friends and loved ones who celebrated with us on 10.4.2008 and who have walked the past 365 days by our side... what an adventure! In the past year, we both graduated and finally finished school... we are expecting our first child... Chris got a teaching job... we celebrated the birth of a new nephew... and I turned 30! I can't wait to see what this next year holds for us. I look forward to the adventure of parenting with Crustopher Glenn by my side. I love him! Here are pics of our cake from a year ago--it was nasty! And I took pics of Chris with sweet Paisley. What a family!

October and Christmas

Today is October 1. For me, it begins a season of celebrating many gifts in this life. I celebrate the cooler temperatures and the changing of leaves. I celebrate one year of marriage to my best friend. I celebrate with thanksgiving alongside family and friends. And I celebrate the birth of my Savior. Many think I'm strange and are probably annoyed that I start playing Christmas music on October 1. However, I believe it is a critical part of my celebrating. You see, the birth of Christ changed everything. Forever. And in order to live, and to live fully, I must turn my attention to that event for more than just a few weeks.

We find ourselves in many different situations this Fall. Some of us are grieving. Grieving the loss of family or of friends. Some are captured by financial fears and wonder what tomorrow will bring? Some are celebrating the birth of children and the start of new beginnings. While others are frozen by depression and heaviness of heart. Some of us are walking closely with our Savior while others are in the dark night of the soul. We each have a reality that is ours this season and they differ from person to person. But, we also share a common reality. The reality that God became man and is with us. He is with the grieving hearts and the financially unsure. He is with the new parents and with those who are depressed. He is with those walking closely and those who feel so very far away. Christ's presence changes our situation because with Christ there is hope. There is love. There is healing.

As I begin listening to my Christmas music today, I do so to remind myself that Emmanuel is with me. May you be reminded today that God is with you too.

Merry October.