Remember

Stiemy and I just exchanged a couple of emails and a quick phone call. My email subject was "Remember". I was sending him details that I was reminding him to take care of. When he called he thought at first glance of "Remember" that I was referring to "remember one year ago today."


One year ago today, our lives changed forever. He interviewed for a job that would offer him a completely new career and send our family in a totally new and different direction. He got it and made the call to me that said "are you ready to move?" I still get that I-want-to-throw-up feeling when I think back to it. Now, 12 months later we have made the jump to another part of the state and in some ways our old life seems so long ago. There is so much that I do miss about our old live, mostly my friends...well, only that (and maybe Target)!

"Dear Lord, thank you for presenting Stiemy with the opportunity

and the courage to go for it. You closed so many doors and windows on our

journey to that point. We knew when that door flew open, it is where You wanted us.

Please continue to guide us in the direction that You want us to go. Amen"

So today, I am now "remembering- one year ago" and I'm a more than a little sentimental!

New Beginnings

Summer is gone, at least the days of no routine! We still find ourseleves enjoying the pool during the weekend. As great as it was to have freedom of schedules, it is equally as great to get back into the swing of school!

The Princess started 3rd grade and one of her best buddies in her class. Hope this works out!
The Monkey started at the "big school" and not only has a class full of buddies, but is sharing a table with a cutie, (she declares is her future husband). She has even told him so, but that's a cute story (at least I think so) for another day.

Stiemy is busy working 12+ hour days and I'm filling in my hours with lots of different hats. We are eagerly awaiting football season and opening up our home to friends and family!!! Speaking of, I'm off to do start a few projects to get us ready! Hope your back to school routine is off to a great start!

Summer 2011

Summer 2011 has been super busy. I have no idea how July 4th has come and gone.

Here are the highlights. Take a deep breath...can you handle it?

The Princess Turned 8

The Monkey took Swimming Lessons

The Princess Skied for the 1st Time & to Overnight Camp for 1 week

The Monkey Annouced Who She Was Marrying & Told Him

"You have to come to my church because that's what boys do"

I gave up my IPhone. I think I'm almost over it.

VBS-Princess 2 different ones/The Monkey-Just Got 1

Stiemy's business opened!!!!!!

We still have several weeks of summer to go. Then I will have a 3rd grader and a PreSchooler

at the same school, AGAIN!!!!!

Hope you are having fun summer days and able to enjoy slow summer nights!

Happy Birthday, America!!!

My Father's Hands

Over the weekend our local swimming pool opened for the summer. The girls were thrilled to take their first dip in what seemed to be icy cool water! The Princess jumped right in and picked back up where she left off last year. The Monkey didn't seem to wait too long to adjust either. She definitely still needs someone she trusts in the pool with her!

Both girls took off immediately for the slide. I admit that seeing the Monkey climb the ladder and go down alone, startled me a bit. However, I noticed that her "buddy boy" aka Daddy was in the pool waiting for her. She went down the slide several times with no fear, as long as Daddy's strong hands were there to catch her the minute she hit the water.

I was immediately struck with the symbolism of Our Father's Hands. Is it really so different? His Hands are always holding us. He may let us dip under the water, but He will always bring us back to the surface and He never lets go even when we slip. How blessed would we always be to remember and have the same confidence of a child in a pool with her Daddy.

Happy swimming and blessings for the strong grip He keeps on us,

even when we are "drowning".

Mommy Moments from Faith Begins @Home

We recently moved and joined a new church. They are in the midst of launching a new program based on Maria & Mark Holmen's "Faith Begins at Home" and Faith @ Home Ministries. Part of the program includes a book "Faith Begins @ Home MOM." Last night I began the book and each chapter will include "Mommy Moments" for the reader to consider. One of the questions in "Mommy Moments" in the first chapter was what advice would you give to new mom's. There is so much, but my favorite piece of advice is this...

"YOU WILL SLEEP AGAIN."

The princess was that perfect baby. She would eat, sleep, wake, eat, sleep. She slept through the night at 5 weeks old. Then, we met the monkey! She would eat, eat, cry, eat, eat, cry, sleep for a second, then wake to eat AGAIN. She didn't sleep through the night until after I went back to work and she was probably 13-15 weeks old. Of course, there are mothers reading this (probably not really) that are like "my child is 2 yrs old and still doesn't sleep" or "my child had reflux" or any other horrible story of newborns. Let me just say it was still tough compared to the princess. Not impossible and not the worst it could have been, but still I like to sleep. I require sleep!

No matter how tough those hours are that you are awake with a little baby never forget that you will sleep again. I'm sure when my girls are dating, driving and staying up all night with slumber parties, I will need to remind myself:

"YOU WILL SLEEP AGAIN!"