Andrew on pier 39

Christmas Eve

Although I miss my family so much I could cry, I am so overjoyed to have married into the best family I could ever have prayed for~We had a wonderful relaxing day today, getting pies and potatoes ready for the Christmas dinner with Marci, Joy and Kerri while it gently sprinkled outside! Tonight we spent the evening at Kerri and Paul's creating a new Christmas Eve tradition of pizza, salad and games! I can't wait for our "egg puff" for breakfast and then Jon's famous turkey for dinner...which has been brined and now injected with a flavorful solution of yumminess and waiting to be BBQ'd. Joy has her Christmas pj's on and is tucked in her crib. I can't wait for our little one to be here next Christmas! 

Merry Christmas everyone! May you reflect on what our Savior has done for us in coming as a humble baby to save us from our sinful state. Praise be to God!

Our baby!

What an amazing picture! This is a real picture of an 8 week old baby in the womb. Our baby is 9 weeks... so probably looks even more developed than this! Yes, I did say "our baby"! Andrew and I are going to have a new little addition to our family, Lord willing, sometime in July. We were so surprised, but sooooo thrilled to find out that I am expecting. I am definitely feeling pregnant, but have had it easy compared to some first trimester horror stories! So our blog will be getting a little more interesting in the coming months with much more to share and thank the Lord for! Please pray for us as we begin this journey of parenthood. I am battling with anxiety over the health of the baby and the pregnancy. Since losing a baby in April, I have a whole new view of what pregnancy is. But the Lord is good and faithful and He will see us through no matter what happens! But for now I muscle through each day, despite the nausea and tiredness, with a happy heart knowing that a new little life is growing inside of me! And the sound of our little baby's heartbeat still rings clear in my ears! ( from our appointment Dec 1)

Joy's 2nd B-day

What a cutie! We can't believe how big our little niece is already! We had so much fun this weekend celebrating her 2nd bday. The theme of the party was Elmo and Abby Cadabby, and as usual every detail was so much fun and so perfect! Jon and Marci know how to throw a good party! As you can see, the sweet little outfit she wore was handcrafted by her mommy to look just like her new favorite character- Abby Cadabby ( a little fairy with a big vocabulary)

We love you guys and can't wait to see you soon!

Thanksgiving in Michigan!

family photo on the grandparents stairs

Cousins shot

In the largest Christmas store in the World- "Bronners"

We had so much fun spending time with family, shooting guns, building snowmen and eating lots of yummy food that it was hard to return home! It is a rare occasion that my entire family is together especailly with extended family! So we cherished every moment and it was an extra special Thanksgiving that I will never forget!

Andrew's Birthday Gift to Me!

Ever since we moved from quiet Camarillo to the hustle and bustle of the Valley, I have been craving some RR in the mountains! Something about the clean air, the big trees and the quiet brings my soul to a place of contentment and joy...so Andrew surprised me with a trip to Fazier Park for the weekend! Upon arrival, the entire town was closed down. We looked and looked for our key to the cute little bungalow Andrew had reserved, but it was no where to be found! Luckily a nice man felt sorry for us and helped us find where the realtor had put it! Then we get into our darling little place only to find that the much advertised fireplace/stove had only one measly log for our crackling fire delight! So we decided to try the heater...broken!! Well, Andrew wasn't going to let these minor issues ruin our weekend, or give us frost bite ( it was about 40 degrees inside) so he found a little saw thing and went out back! He came back with some logs freshly cut from the neighbors trees and we were quite comfy! Thank you love for a fabulous weekend away with my most favorite person!

Fun Birthday weekend!

Not only did my parents and mother-in-law come for my birthday, but Andrew rode his Harley for the first time! Harley? Yes, it is true...My dear father gave Andrew his Harley for our wedding present. This was definitely a surprise for Andrew! My dad has always wanted a son and now he has one! What better way to bond than cruising into the sunset side by side on motorcycles?! After a few thousand miles of local practice driving, they will be off on an adventure together, while my mom and I will will be on our knees praying for their safe return! ;)