A Day in the Life...

Well as the date for returning to work nears, I've been trying to soak in as many memories as I can with my sweet baby girl. Hopefully these will get me through the 3 1/2 months of the rest of the school year! Here are a few favorites:



~eating lunch with her~she sits in her bouncy seat on the island, and I can sit next to her on the stool and we have little lunch dates :)



~naptimes~this is a favorite for obvious reasons, but I just get a kick out of her when she sleeps! Her little grunts, the way her arms flail around when she gets out of her swaddling, how peaceful she looks,...it's so sweet! Today she even fell asleep laying next to me in her boppy holding my finger--my heart was so full!!!



~playtime~she loves things that make noise, and loves to smile! I especially love watching her play with her Daddy--it is so sweet the way she smiles at him!



~reading books~whether it's "reading" her favorite crinkly book, or reading Bible stories before bedtime, it is so fun to watch her look at books and listen to the way our voices sound when we read. I can already tell she's going to love reading!!! ;)



There are so many more moments that I enjoy throughout the day (and of course moments I don't enjoy too!) and I'm going to soak up every last minute with her before I head back to school.

All Smiles

We've been enjoying doing just about anything goofy to get Teigan to smile! :) It's hard to catch it on camera because she always stares at the camera as soon as it comes out, but here are a few smiles that Kyle caught...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YxBRzp5aW0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozBlZLS0NhM

2 months

We can hardly believe that our sweet little girl is already 2 months old! WOW! It's so true that the time flies by, and she is changing so fast. Here are a few of the things she loves to do at 2 months...

~look at lights
~have Daddy read to her
~bathtime
~swings and bouncy seats (this is definitely a new development over the past month--yay!)
~smiling, especially if you make funny faces at her
~kicking her legs and putting her hands by her face
~the music in her mobile
~having her feet massaged (just like her mom--hehe!)

There is so much more, but those are just a few highlights. We are still so very thankful for her, and the blessing of family and friends to support us.

It Takes A Village...

Yes, I'm still alive! :) So it has been months since I've posted but never fear, I have some new revelations to share! Here 'goes...

So anyone reading this blog knows that we have welcomed a sweet baby girl into our family. Parenthood has rocked our worlds, and we are so thankful for all of the ways God is showing Himself ever-faithful as we embark on this journey. As the title of this post eludes to, we have seen His faithfulness so clearly through our amazing family and friends. Never before have we needed so much help, support, and prayer....and never before has God delivered like He has these past 6 weeks. We are so blessed! We've had family stay over to help, pray, friends bring groceries, come hold her so I can shower (yes!), pray, bring meals, bring clothes, pray, clean, do laundry, call or stop by for some company, pray.....you get the idea. It literally has taken the "village" of our family and friends to help us get started on this wonderful, but crazy new role as parents. Thank you is not even enough to begin covering the blessings you all have given us--we hope to be able to bless you all this much as we all continue to do life together.

Another revelation is how powerful God's Word, even His name is! So many nights in the first month especially I would find myself just saying certain verses over and over again...literally clinging to them...or just praying and saying His name over and over again. Even in the hardest hours He was there! It didn't always FEEL like it, but I can see it now. It is amazing how relevant God's Word is in the midst of trials. His Word proves true--He gave me peace and joy--He restores my soul! Thank you Lord!

Finally, I am beginning to understand more clearly and fully the love that God has for us. To give up His ONLY SON to save me from my sin? Wow! I cannot imagine giving my sweet baby up for anyone/anything....parenthood is definitely bringing a new viewpoint to the sacrifice that Jesus gave with His life. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son. So that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life." I know it's a familiar verse that we all know, but what a miracle! What a priceless gift! If you're reading this and not sure what I'm even talking about, or are curious about how you can have this peace and eternal life in Heaven, PLEASE call me or stop by. I would love to share with you! :)

Again, THANK YOU to those of you that have been "our village" the past 6 weeks. We love you all, and pray God's blessings on you in this new year.

**ps. for those still reading, I updated/added pics to our Latest Hardie Pics too :)

Family and Friends

**warning** MORE sappiness to follow
(maybe I'm a bit hormonal right now?!?) :)

I have become increasingly aware at many points in the last several years about the importance of family and friends. This is one of the biggest blessings that I am thankful for so often; I am surrounded by a great circle of people that I love and care about, and who feel the same about me. I am especially thankful at this stage in our life to have this network of care. Here are a few reasons why...

~listeners! It can be so hard to find a good listener (I know that I am rarely one--need to work on that) but I am so thankful for friends and family that will just LISTEN on those days when you need to vent.

~manpower! Finishing our bathroom....bathroom/bedroom....basement has been quite the consuming task. We know, and thank God OFTEN for the support we've had from family and friends as we've stumbled through this journey. From "manpower", to donating time, resources, money, trucks, encouragement, to painting skills, .... the list goes on! We're closing in on our goal of having a "livable space", and every time I get overwhelmed (which is often, just ask Kyle!) I know that we wouldn't even BE at this place without the help and support of family and friends.

~advice! Entering into this new season of parenthood has been very exciting, and of course scary. Change has been a tad hard for me, so I am continually thankful for the wise advice of many godly women in my life.

~fun! I just LOVE spending time with family and friends. Building memories and relationships with the people I love is something I find so much joy in! I can look back on so many moments with various family and friends, and a big smile will just break out on my face. I love it!

My list could go on and on, but I will spare you more "sap". All this to say, I'm thankful for YOU! Whatever our relationship, know that it means a lot to me. I probably don't say it enough, but THANK YOU!!! Doing life wouldn't be the same without you in it. :)

A Good Reminder...

**warning** a little sappiness coming up :)

We had our "Meet and Greet" night at school on Wednesday. This is a night for all of the students and families to come and meet their teacher, bring their school supplies, and check out the school. It's always a busy night with a whirlwind of activity for 90 minutes straight.

On this Meet and Greet night though I had a good reminder in the midst of the craziness. Several of my students and families from last year came back to my room to say hi and give me a hug. This has happened before, but for some reason it meant a bit more this time. Maybe it's because my class was so challenging, or maybe it's because I'm hoping I can still have an impact on my class this year even though I'll miss 1/3 of it on maternity leave, maybe a little of both.... For whatever reason, seeing them reminded me that this job is a special one. For all of it's difficulties, those moments of reward help you make it through. To have those kids rushing in to give me a hug, to have those families stop by and say "thank you" (a rare thing sometimes), was just the thing I needed to get me ready for the year ahead.

As I continued to meet most of the students in my class for the coming year, I noticed (as teachers do every year) the range of needs that will be gracing my door everyday. Some told me they didn't have money to buy school supplies, while some had parents with matching Cadillacs. Some have already exceeded standards several grade levels above mine, and some are still trying to master their letters and sounds. Some come from loving homes with lots of family around for support, and some come from home situations that are far less than ideal for a little kiddo. Some were very excited and social, others were withdrawn and nervous.

What I do know is that for 5 days a week, 40 weeks of the year, all of these kids need me to love them, to make them feel safe, to help them learn, and to teach them how to be a better person. I know I won't succeed at those things every day, but that image of my former students and families running in to see me gave me a boost of courage to take on another year. Our school's theme for the year is "It's Possible", and I'm sure it's no coincidence that one of my favorite verses popped into mind.... "Now to Him who is ABLE to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus..." Eph. 3:20 It's going to be a GREAT year! :)

Door County Vacation

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