Changes

Our family seems to undergo changes by the hour! There is never a dull moment and it is always so exciting to see where God brings us. God seems to continuously test and bless as we walk through life with him.

Talk about changes! Emery is now 19 months old and seems to be getting bigger and smarter by the day! He is such an amazing little man! He starting to say more and more words, although I can't always understand him. When I focus I can tell what he seems to by trying to say. I love hearing him say "mama" and "dada" and just love watching him jump into Josh's arms when he comes home from work! They have such a wonderful connection with each other and it is so special to watch! There's nothing like watching a boy and his daddy!



Josh has been continuing to work hard at Harvest! He's doing so well and it's always fun to see the new projects he's working on. I can see how much he's grown as a designer in the last year of working there and it's amazing! I know that this job is exactly where God wants us right now. Josh has also been playing softball on the Harvest league. He has been doing really well and was even asked to lead the Bible study last week! What an honor for the new guy! We have also been playing co-ed softball together and have been doing OK with that too!


As for me, being in California has been an interesting and long adjustment. I am still not used to the heat but it's getting a little better. I feel like I'm finally starting to really make some friends that I can fit in with and have fun. I've been praying that God would put people in my life so that I could feel more connected and I think He's beginning to really put those people into my life in a bigger way. Moving to another state as a married adult with a child is nothing like moving to another state as a student. It's not as easy to meet people and actually build relationships when you're a stay-at-home mom. Most women my age are busy with school, work, or the friends that they've had for a long time...sometimes they just don't have room for more, and that's OK. I respect that. I was so excited to hang out with friends last weekend to watch the first two movies in the Twilight Saga. It was in preparation for us all going to see Eclipse on Friday night. I'm not a big movie-goer and I wasn't ever really into the Twilight Saga, but I do enjoy them and it's worth it to make connections and build relationships with some fun and awesome women.

I am very ready to head out to Wisconsin for 20 days! I'm really looking forward to spending time with my friends and family! I haven't had a good visit for a while and it will be nice to just relax together. I can't wait to see my parents and I know they're all excited to see Emery (and me) too! I am also attending the Pampered Chef national conference in Chicago while I'm out in the Midwest! Until then Emery and I will continue to spend time out in the pool and play with toys in the house!

The last month or so Josh and I have been blessed by an amazing friend. He works at a bank and runs some wonderful programs at a local church that help people to manage their finances in a responsible and biblical way. It has truly been a blessing to meet with him! I feel like our family can finally breathe now that everything is under control. It is amazing what can happen with someone else looking into our lives! I never knew that such a small amount could go such a long way! We will be forever grateful for his insight and his service to our family!

New to Blogging

Ok, so we're new to the whole blogging thing, but want our friends and family (especially those back in Wisconsin or Northern California) to feel connected to us! So I will just give a quick update on our family and how things are going periodically.


Let's see. Emery is not doing so hot this week. Poor guy. He hasn't been feeling well for about a week and half. I finally took him into the doctor yesterday expecting to hear the same thing I always do. "He's just fine. It's only a cold. It will pass." Well, we weren't so lucky. The poor guy has bronchitis. I'm so glad we went in when we did. Outside of that he has been great. He's getting bigger and bigger and he is just as smart as a whip! He doesn't say much but he sure knows what you're talking about. I know that his little mind is just soaking in everything we say and do and he'll eventually realize his verbal abilities and he'll be a fountain of words. He is seriously the most beautiful thing in the entire world. I know that I'll have to stop saying that when we have another baby in the future, but I just can't help but looking at him and melting every time.



Josh is doing great at his job. He is so talented and I get so excited to see the things he brings home. We both like the people he works with and the environment too. It is such a blessing to know that he is working towards an eternal purpose. I'll have him put some pictures up of things he's done lately. I know you'll all be impressed too. By the way, he designs business cards and logos for anyone who is interested. Trust me--he won't leave you disappointed. He works hard to make his bosses and clients happy. He is so conscientious. I'm really lucky to have a husband who works so hard to provide for us.



As for me, I'm doing well. The last few months have been a roller coaster. Around Thanksgiving I found out that my grandpa was getting sick with fluid build-up around his lungs. He had cancer back in May of 2005 and so we were all on pins and needles. We didn't get any definitive answers until December 11th. Sure enough. It was lung cancer and it had come back very aggressively. Less than two months later he was gone. I miss him like crazy and think about him every day--all day. He was such an amazing person with a wonderful heart and spirit. He left an amazing legacy of hope and redemption. He taught me that it is never too late to start fresh and do the right thing. He also taught me the importance of forgiving others and forgiving myself. If I don't forgive someone when they've wronged me, what reason am I giving them to change and do the right thing? I know that there will be a spot missing from our lives, but I know that I will see him again someday in Heaven. Other than that, things have been going well. I signed up to be a consultant with the Pampered Chef back on December 1st and have been loving every minute of it. Anyone--I mean anyone--can do this job. I love that I can get paid and still have time to spend with my family--That was so important to me! I look forward to my future with the Pampered Chef. Of course, as a new consultant I'm always looking for hosts and hostesses for cooking shows and catalog shows...so if anyone is ever interested, let me know!

The rest of our family is doing great. Ryan, my brother, just moved back to the states from Curacao. He's been living out of the country for quite some time, so it's nice to know he's back home. My parents are all doing well. Between family, church and work I know they're constantly busy! Joy, Jeff, and Gracie are also doing well. Gracie is so beautiful. She really is. She's only 10 months old and has enough hair that I can french braid it! Needless to say I really enjoy getting to be her aunt and playing with her! Brad and Susan are enjoying "retirement." Susan is busy with substitute teaching, book club, and church and Brad is busy with his business, Bible studies, sports ministry, and softball.

Well, that's all for now! Bye for now!