6 months

My little baby boy is six months old today. I really do feel like it was just yesterday that we brought him home, and I sat in the family room holding him for two hours. I was so happy to finally have him after some roller coasters to get us to that point, but at the same time I was almost paralyzed by fear of what life with two little ones would be like. It has definitely been the biggest challenge of my life (so far), but the boys bring me so much joy. I am so thankful that God blessed us with our sons.


Nate has such a happy personality. He loves people, and will smile at anyone who looks at him. Sometimes I wonder if that is because he doesn't get a ton of attention, so he's just super happy when he does. :) He loves his big brother and can't wait to be able to play with him.

He just started sitting up this week. He's still a little wobbly, but he's getting the hang of it. I'm super excited about this milestone, because I feel like he can be more a part of the action when he's sitting up. He's also really close to getting his first tooth. I keep expecting it to pop through any day now.

Nate is a good sleeper, like his brother. This has been such a blessing! Last week there was one night that he did not want to go to sleep, and was wide awake 90 minutes after his bed time. Dave and I took turns rocking him, but then we decided to make the most of it and just enjoyed the quiet play time with him in his room. It was a rare opportunity for us to enjoy quality time with only him.

He's so forgiving of us. I don't know how many times I've delayed feedings or skipped his naps because of the million things that distract me and keep us busy. He usually takes it all in stride. It's funny how all the "rules" that I followed with my first baby got thrown out the window with the second. We still keep a pretty predictable schedule, but it's nowhere near as tight as Charlie's schedule was.

Nathan means "He (God) gave," and I truly can't imagine a more fitting name for him since he is our gift from God.

June misc.

Charlie loves holding his baby brother

Charlie and Daddy doing swim lessons



R.I.P bouncy seat





I love this picture!

Birthday Party

Aunt Nancy's cake creation

Baptism

This weekend, in addition to celebrating Charlie's 2nd birthday, we also celebrated my baptism. It's something I've thought about doing for a few years, but I finally knew the time was right. We have found an awesome church community that God has used to make a lot of things finally "click" for me. Before being baptized, I had to share my testimony with the church. I figure, what's the point of sharing it with 750 people whom I'm barely know, if I don't also share it with my friends and family. So here it is:

Growing up, I always knew about God and Jesus, but Jesus was just someone who was a really good person whom we should all try to emulate, and God was a judge who doled out reward or punishment based on our actions, and if we tried hard enough we would go to heaven. In high school I began to realize it was a little more than that; God desired a relationship with me through his son Jesus. I feel like God was calling me as one of His own during these high school years, and at an FCA retreat I made a prayer of commitment to Him.

It’s been a long 15 years since then, and I feel like I’m actually just now understanding what that means. Even though I understood in my head that Jesus paid the only price for my salvation, and I desired a personal relationship with Him, I still tried to earn it on my good behavior. I’ve always been a “good” person by the world’s standards so I don’t think I truly realized my need for the cross. I still tried to impress God by being good. As if I can impress Him! And all the while, He was waiting for me to stop looking at what I had done, and instead look at what He had done.

I think I did things kind of backwards. I accepted God’s saving grace before I really knew what I needed saving from. But throughout the last year, through a move, the birth of our second child and getting connected here at The Village, God led me to a place that exposed my sin. He exposed my pride. My failure to show grace to His people. My putting faith in things other than Him: my husband, my kids, my success. He exposed my arrogance in thinking that I could make it through this life and on to the next because I was better than everyone else.

So that brings me to today, where I am on my knees asking again for God’s forgiveness and for Him to sanctify me. Not because I deserve it, but because I don’t.

Happy Birthday Charlie!

My little boy turned 2 today! Here's a trip down memory lane:

June 28, 2007

June 28, 2008

June 28, 2009

Alaska Trip

Here are a few photos from my trip to Denali State Park and Kenai Peninsula in Alaska.

Humpback whale



Holgate Glacier



My friend Bill caught a 257 lb. halibut. He entered a contest to see who could catch the biggest halibut in June. First prize is $10,000 and so far no one has beaten him.









Mount McKinley

The Family with LT

I was doing a video shoot with LaDainian Tomlinson and got him to take a picture with Gretchen and the boys. Charlie wasn't quite sure what to think about it but he will appreciate it when he's older.

Nate's first time in the exersaucer

Charlie's first time in the exersaucer, Nov. 2007

May misc.

Wrestling with Daddy


Memorial Day


Nathan's rolling over!

First cereal

I think we may have gotten more on his face and bib than in his mouth.

Here Daddy, let me help you get that spoon in my mouth.