Dude, Dough, Darlin', and Deputation

 Thankful!  Joyful giggles, stolen pacifiers, increased dexterity, and almost sleeping throughout the night are things for which to be thankful.  We are blessed! Also, we are anxiously awaiting our next step toward the mission field. The VIP of our future plans to visit the Philippians will be joining us here in MN for an update and to answer many questions. We couldn't be more happy to hear him explain important details to us about the trip he has just made there and the building progress that is well underway. 

Ian's first time playing with play dough.

Emmaline sporting one of Grandma "B's" beautiful headbands

Emma's new arrangement

He LOVES working with his hands on little projects. At 211/2 months his favorite toys are his tools from Aunt Beth and Uncle Jason. He fixes everything around the house. :) 

another favorite!

The Last Several Months

Ian visits the hospital

to see baby Emmaline Rose- Born 11-14-11 @ 11:20am 7lbs 7oz 

21 inches long

Mom came to help with the transition and had her grandma "love" meter filled

bringing "Em"home

Ian finally wanting to touch his little sister

Grandma and Grandpa out keeping the kiddos occupied while Thanksgiving dinner was being prepared

Little Emma asleep and Aunt Beth with a camera :) -Love that!!!

Bye to mom and dad and to November and Hello to the Tree Farm and December

Wow, a house with 13 people means lots of presents.

So thankful to the Lord for Family and for their love!!

Something is WRONG!!!!! No snow in Minneapolis in December??????

Our Christmas puzzle

Ian helping Dad with this new Christmas tools from Aunt Beth and Uncle Jason.

Mark has done an amazing job this year fixing so many things in our house. He is such wonderful man and help around the house. He is shaping up to be an excellent Handy Man. Thanks Mark!

33 weeks along, a birthday, and a very busy husband

   Can't believe how quickly time has flown by with this second pregnancy. I've had my attention on little Ian this go around. The laughs, hugs, smiles, snacks, naps, quick trips to the store, long moments trying to think through schedules, and prayers before bed have all added up to a very different 7 1/2 months. (Much different than I had leading up to Ian's birth.)

     Motherhood truly is a joy. With Ian at 17 months I pray that I'll be as consistent as can be with rearing him in 'the way he ought to go' during the next (very) busy months. We are eagerly awaiting little Emmaline's arrival. Mark had worked so hard the last several weeks after work and crammed lots in each weekend to prepare for this winter. We've had a list of projects: fence in the back yard, replace furnace, dresser for Emmaline, reorganize pantry, prepare kitchen area for our downstairs, go through bins and change out Ian's clothes. Mark has mostly finished the fence (pictures to follow). He has worked out all the details for our soon to be replaced furnace. Also, he made my birthday very special by completing the last to items on my list before Emmaline's birth.
    Friday night mark and I went on a fun lengthy date to IKEA for my birthday. We ate there and walked around for hours. It was so great to spend that time with him. We came back home with a dresser for our little girl and a shelf unit for the pantry/ kitchen area to fix our "problem spots". Mark really has done the work of several men with all these projects. I'm so thankful for his love and service to me and our family. I've been given quite a man. I praise the Lord for him.

- Posted by Amy

Life as we know it with little Ian

- Posted by Amy

Laundry Time

What we brought home from the Ultrasound...

I am 20 weeks along with our second pregnancy, and feeling wonderful. I thank the Lord for the strength and the energy He has given over the last 4 months. I was for certain that we probably would have another boy, but thought it would be fun not to find out this pregnancy what the gender of the baby would be.  I really wanted a boy first and I got one and have been enjoying every minute with little Ian. 

but... 

I guess the anticipation was getting the better of me.

 Mark and I 

really have trouble picking out names...

 and

WELL...

  I'm glad we found out because we are really bad especially with girl names. Mark never likes what I pick for girls. So now we have a few months to get one nailed down.

I was so excited and giddy when I found out that it was going to be

a Girl!

"Mr. Mark" is at it again

  

Just helping out at Fourth in one of the children's groups.