Wednesday, December 19, 2012

August and Next Came September

August
was a hot month, but enjoyable. Mark purchased and started putting up a wooden picket fence to finish enclosing our back yard. A completely fenced in back yard will be such a treat with a household of (soon to be six) children. Yes, we are still living in the basement apartment of our siblings house. We love how the Lord has worked this out. After Mark and Jason's parents visit in July, we have buckled down on house projects in preparation for baby Emmaline's birth.

     Mark is still teaching the college sunday school class at Fourth Baptist and we had a wonderful weekend together with them at Camp Clear-Waters. Most of the college students went back to various out of state colleges, but we still have a great group that faithfully attends. We hope to band together encouraging one another in the truth of God's Word. Our mission statement is something we pray will be exemplified in each life.

 "Our desire is to intentionally pursue the fullness of Christ through a deeper understanding of and maturity in the truths of the gospel, through unity and accountability with fellow believers, and through a demonstration of the love of Christ."

      August 26, was mark and Jason's birthday. Also, it is time for the Minnesota State Fair.






    Ian is an absolute blast to watch. At 15 months, his mechanical mind is just spinning. He will work at and study something for the longest time. He loves keys and tries to open everything with them. He has been pretty quiet up to this point enjoying watching his cousins.




Fall

The fence mark has worked so hard on...



Leaves we've been raking...



Ian's costume...



Birthday date with honey...



Ian pretending he is sleeping beside Mark...



Playing in leaves at grandparent while in Illinois...



Almost here-Emmaline!



- Posted by Amy

Saturday, February 4, 2012

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!


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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!


Sunday, September 25, 2011

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

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011