What A Difference a Year Makes...

Here is an excerpt from my journal from one year ago today: "Maybe I'm pregnant??? .... just took a test-one line dark and one line light...read lots on the internet-says definitely pregnant even if one line is light... Josh is at the church-I want to go tell him... wanted to do something special but have nothing planned... I think I'll go now... Life is about to change-I'm so excited!!!" I'm so glad I wrote that. What a pivotal moment in my life! After that, my pregnancy consumed my every thought... maybe because it consumed my entire body! Here I am today, with my 5 month old, healthy baby girl. What a year! God is good!

Children's Ministry

Isn't it neat to look back over the last 5-10 years and think about how God's plan was shaping up for your life and you didn't even know it? Take our children's ministry for example. During college, Josh was asked to do a children's ministry with his friends in Wapella, IL. This is something he probably would never have sought after or done by himself, but he ended up really enjoying it. Right after we graduated college, our church happened to need a part-time children's minister for 1st-5th grade, and they asked Josh if he was interested in the position. Without his experience at Wapella, I highly doubt he would have done it, but because of that opportunity he had during college, he was excited about the thought and took the job. Josh and I have been doing this ministry together for nearly five years. At times, it definitely was a lot on top of us both working full time, but we figured it would be easier eventually when I became a stay-at-home mom so we stuck through the hard times (meaning a BUSY schedule!). Right after Hannah was born, our other part-time children's minister, who took care of birth-kindergarten, resigned from her position. We were asked if we would like to take over that portion of the ministry as well. Since Josh already has enough on his plate, we decided that it would be best if I oversaw that part of the ministry, so I am once again employed! I was not looking for a job, and had it been any other situation, I probably would not have considered it. However, it just seemed like this was the best case scenario for the church and for our family. I can do all of my work from home, except on Sundays obviously. If I do have to go to the office for something, I can take Hannah with me. It's also working out great for the church because now people will not be confused about who they need to talk to for things concerning the children's ministry since Josh and I will be working together on everything. I am excited about this opportunity and would love your prayers and/or advice.

Baby Dedication

Hannah's Baby Dedication was on Sunday, which was also Sanctity of Life Sunday. We had ten new babies in our church this year (five boys and five girls). We all went forward and promised to raise our babies to follow Jesus. I love to think about how Hannah will probably go through school and be friends with many of these children. I pray that she has the kind of friends that I have been blessed with. For the service, my dad made a video of all of the babies which was really cute-it almost made me cry. Josh's dad, grandma, brother, and future sister-in-law all came which was really nice. My whole family was there too-Emily even came home from Carbondale for it, which was so sweet because I know that was not easy for her. Hannah got a pink Bible with her name on it, and we got a family picture taken (also by my dad :) Last year at the service, I remember hoping that I would be up there next year-funny thing was that I was pregnant already but didn't know it yet! It was kind of sentimental as we were standing there. I was thinking that Josh and I were standing in the exact same spot where we said our wedding vows, and now about five years later, we were making another promise to God to raise our daughter to know and follow Jesus. Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!

A Scripture to Reflect On...

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9

So This is Christmas...

Our first Christmas with Hannah was so much fun. Josh and I had a really hard time deciding what our Christmas schedule would be like this year since we have started our own family, but we finally came to an agreement that seemed to work well for this year at least. We did our family Christmas (with just the three of us) on Christmas Eve morning. We woke up and did presents, ate breakfast, and watched "Elf." It was such a special morning and I'm so glad we made time for just the three of us. After the movie, we got ready and went to my parents' house for lunch and presents. Hannah's favorite gift was a glow worm from her Uncle Paul and his girlfriend Alisa. Her eyes lit up every time we turned it on. We spent the afternoon there and then went to the Christmas Eve service. I didn't see much of the service because Hannah wasn't such a fan of the music (trumpets, etc.). We ended up going back to my parents' house that night to play Wii with my brothers and sisters. On Christmas morning, we woke up at 7 and were at Josh's mom and step-dad's house by 8:30 (and they live an hour away so we made good time!). This was the first year that we didn't spend the night with them on Christmas Eve, but when we spent the night there on Thanksgiving, Hannah did not sleep and we didn't want to take that risk on Christmas. It is a long enough day without being sleep deprived! We opened presents and had breakfast with them. Hannah got several fun toys and a cute Illini cheerleading uniform! After breakfast, we were off to Josh's dad's side of the family for lunch and more presents! They always have Christmas at Josh's Aunt Becky's and it is always crazy. Josh's cousin Cannon (who is about 6 or 7) got a real trumpet for Christmas. Needless to say he was "playing" that a lot of the day. Also, Josh's cousins brought their dogs to the house, and they were yelping a lot at the trumpet and at Hannah (I think they were a little jealous). It was mass chaos if you are getting the picture... Present time was insane. Everyone just rips into their presents all at once. Not everyone gets everyone presents there, but everyone got Hannah something. We were buried in gifts! She and Grandma Downing definitely had the most presents. Hannah got lots of toys, books, and diapers!!! We were happy about that! The best part was that Josh got an iPod touch from his dad. He had no idea he was getting it, which made it really fun. He was so surprised! I was excited for him. I was a little worried about Hannah being overwhelmed with everything, but she handled it well. We had a great Christmas and I have a feeling that it will just get even more fun each year!

Hannah Rolled Over!

Hannah rolled over for the first time on Monday. I set her on her belly and she rolled right over! She did it two more times and then we rested until daddy got home and she did it two more times! We got it on video tape! It was so fun! I don't know why but it was just exciting to me! I took a picture of her right before she rolled over the first time.

Thanksgiving

This year, I am most thankful for my beautiful, healthy baby girl. I love being a mom and staying home with her. Thank you Lord for this blessing.