I love my daddy

Annelise is going through a phase.  And  I don't like it!  She loves Matt - she hates me.  Ok, that might be a little extreme.  She probably doesn't hate me, but she sure acts like it!  Each day when Matt gets home, she puts on this attitude that says "forget you mommy, my daddy's home."  So, I've decided to go with the flow, instead of fighting it.  Hopefully she'll grow out of it and decide she loves both of her parents.  Here she is, readily giving kisses to daddy after a long day at work.

 

And I would really rob you of a good laugh if I didn't tell you about our crazy night.  First, I couldn't pass up this photo.  Annelise was doing a little "bootie dance" during American Idol. Not sure where she learned that, but her pants were falling off her bottom and it was too cute.

 

Last, but not least.  I heard a few subtle cries, followed by blood curdling screams.  The problem?  I couldn't find her!  After a few short seconds of an unwanted game of hide 'n seek, I found my trapped peanut.  I guess she wanted to sit in her bumbo seat, UNDER the high chair. Oh what a terrible mommy I am.  Taking pictures while my sweet baby is reaching for me.  

Hope you all enjoy your Friday!  I am thrilled for the weekend.  We're in desperate need of some family time and plan to use the coupons we received from Quizno's Million Sub Giveaway for lunch tomorrow.  Oh - and we will also be seeing that sweet, baby girl, Alayna - at home. Life is good.

Leah and Alayna, both doing great!

She looks just like her mommy!

Me the proud auntie - I love her already!

Uncle Matt (times two now) so proud to hold his new niece.

Baby Has Arrived - NEW PICS

My little sister Leah gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl this morning.

Alayna Jay

born at 10:01 am

8 lbs 15 oz 20 inches

She has lots of black hair!  Mom and baby are both doing fantastic. Leah's water broke at 1 am - and hard labor started around 2:30 am.  Only 8 hours from start to finish.  She was such a trooper - even let us stay in the room and watch the baby enter our world.  

Thanks for all of your prayers!

My Not-So-Little Girl

I think she's saying, "Look mom, I know its hard, but I'm a big girl now."

P.S. Don't you love those leg warmers?

Oh the Drama

Its been a little while.  Life has been busy.

This weekend, our school presented "Meet Me in St. Louis."  If you haven't seen it before, its about a family whose father is transferred to New York a few weeks before the start of the world fair.  His rambunctious daughters do everything in their power to thwart the move.  Each night, the director allowed the principals of the school to play a small cameo role as the trolley conductor.  Matt got to play that role on Saturday's matinee showing and during the final production.  He had a blast - and the entire cast did such a fantastic job!  

I forgot my camera, so as soon as I locate a picture of Matt (on Facebook), I'll get it on here.

Have a great week!

U R Sweet

It doesn't get any better than a big red sucker...for a one year old.  My Papa is the best!

PS - I got breakfast in bed and Matt got a box full of coupons to be redeemed in the future.  I know they are burning a hole in his pocket.  It was a wonderful day of love!

My Valentine

When we were dating - only a few weeks actually - my first Valentine's Day with Matt was like any other dating couples - it was about infatuation.  I loved Matt's ability to make me feel special. He always came up with the most exciting, adventurous dates.  We went to places in Chicago I never knew existed.  Initially, my love for his spontaneity caused me to fall for him...hard.  When he graduated from college a year and a half before me, our long distance relationship was tough. But he was always so good at whetting my appetite for the next time we would see one another. Valentine's Day 2003 started a month before, with pieces of postcards coming in the mail.  Each one had something written on the back.  When I received the last postcard, I was able to decipher the message.  It was a riddle.  I'm ashamed to say that I can't remember what it said, but I'm certain the meaning was disgustingly sappy.  A snow storm kept me from driving to Kentucky that weekend, so I did what any college girlfriend would do - I used my credit card to purchase a last minute plane ticket.  Matt's dad picked me up in Louisville and I surprised him with a Valentine's visit.  We got all gussied up and he took me to a fancy Italian restaurant somewhere in Cincinnati  Well, at least we thought it was fancy.  Until we got there, and everyone in the joint had jeans and sneakers on.  As if the embarrassment wasn't enough, they sat us in the center of the room.  I felt like everyone was staring at us.  But, we didn't care.  We were young and in love.

Valentine's Day 2004 was another milestone.  We were just a few months from getting married.  I was working two jobs, making my last attempt to get good grades before graduating college.  Matt was in between jobs in Kentucky - trying to scrounge up as much cash he could before supporting a wife in a few months.  I don't remember if we saw each other that weekend, but I know I sent him a card that said "Enjoy your last Valentine's Day as a single man."  Sweet.

Since getting married, each Valentine's Day has become less dramatic (less expensive) and more about enjoying the deep love we have for one another.  

This Valentine's Day, I'm celebrating Matt as husband and father.  He is a loving leader in our home.  He loves Annelise with a passion.  And he loves and cares for me daily.

We love you Matt!

Our Beautiful Savior

I came home from church today expecting a relaxing afternoon.  Sat down in the living room, with a large cup of coffee, hoping to catch up on blogs from friends around the world.  I didn't make it past this one.

Cora McClenahan is with Jesus today.  

Tears still well up in my eyes as I think of her beautiful family and the loss they are suffering.  I don't know the McClenahans, but their sweet little Cora bears a striking resemblance to my Annelise.  Cora would be celebrating her first birthday on March 6th, but before she could reach such a milestone, her life was shortened by cancer.  

Never have I felt so much sorrow for a stranger.  When I finished viewing their post about Cora's passing, I immediate made my way to Annelise' room.  She was sound asleep as I scooped her into my arms and wept.

"Why Cora?"

"Why not Annelise?"

Questions pouring through my mind...emotions like anger, confusion and grief.  

Maybe their story touches me so deeply, because its so very similar to ours.  A young couple enjoying the birth of their first daughter.  Celebrating family events like Christmas and New Year's.  Beginning 2009 with so many hopes for the future.  The only difference?  Our daughter doesn't have stage 4 cancer.  

I've never heard this song before, but its seems to have been a comfort for the McClenahans during Cora's last days.  I know its words are powerful and true.  Please pay for them today.

This Is Our God

A refuge for the poor

A shelter from the storm

This is our God

And He will wipe away your tears

And return your wasted years

This is our God

Oh, this is our God

Oh, this is our God

A Father to the orphan

A healer to the broken

This is our God

And He brings peace to our madness

And comfort in our sadness

This is our God

Oh, this is our God

Oh, this is our God

Life

is very busy for us right now.  Though responsibilities at work have calmed down for me, Matt's workload is just gearing up - and I'm involved in a lot of it. 

Here's what we have going on in the next few months:

SnowBlast Youth Retreat - This weekend

Sunday - New School Open House

March 9-13 - Work Trip to California

April 6-14 - Mission Trip to Costa Rica

Did I mention my little sister is having a baby anytime now?  Our life is super crazy.  We covet your prayers.