We are together....

Daddy meeting Abby....

And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree....

Abby and Daddy have both had a lot going on these past few days....

Being born...Coming home from Afghanistan.....

The unexpected

The past few days have been full of the unexpected...Things I wasn't planning on, long sleepless nights, and thousands of questions that have gone unanswered.

However, with a phone call from my friend Melissa, a letter from my husband, and pictures of my beautiful daughter I have to remember that God is in control and he has taken my life and made it what He wants it to be.

10 years ago today, I went on a date with Steve. We were silly high schoolers who had no idea what true love was...Who knew that these ten years would be so wonderful?  God gave me a husband who loves me, supports me, cares for me, provides for me and lifts me up.  I couldn't have asked for anyone better...I love Steve more than words can express.  

Thank you Steve for these 10 years....I can't wait for all the years we have ahead.  Lord, thank you for giving me  Steve.

Baby Abby is here!

The doctor's told us we are ready!  Abby is coming!

Meeting baby Abby for the first time.  The phone is on my left hand side...Steve talked to us the entire time.  I am crying...I love this kid.

It was cold on the scale...This is Abby getting all of her measurements.

She's going to be tall like mama...Look at those long feet.

Melissa, thank you so much for taking all these pictures.  I still cry when I look at them.  These are priceless and something we will treasure forever.

Abigail Ann Klenke

February 2, 2011 10:47am 6 lbs. 15 oz.

And Labor started....

At the hospital the day before Abby was born...Filling out the paperwork.

Wow, these underoo's are H-O-T!  That is when we were still having fun before labor really started.

Talking to Steve on the phone in the room.

Our last family picture of two!  Thanks Melissa for letting us use your super phone to skype!

 Walking the stairs to get labor started.  I am still smiling.

Squatting helped....I am talking with Steve through skype.

Steve is amazing and wrote me letters to read while in labor...All the nurses were impressed at how sweet he is...I LOVED reading those letters.

Talking to Steve through a contraction....Not fun...

This is when I told my mom, "Mom, this is TERRIBLE.  Why do people do this?"

The Jello was the most delicious food item ever!

38 Weeks

And right after this...she came....

AbbyJale

I Got a picture from a kid in my class that said, 

"To Mrs. Klenke, Mr. Steve, and AbbyJale." 

 I love my kids.

Things I want to do before BK comes

1. Make a pie
2. Go to the apple orchard
3. Make a snow angel and try to make it look pregnant - We only had enough snow to do this once in CO...And it was about -5 degrees outside, so I am was going to do it then.  I did however, get to go sledding with Sam and Elli in Michigan (should have made the snow angel there) so I will count that one as checked off my list.  Going sledding with two precious girls was much better than making a snow angel by myself.
4. Walk to school - I better get on this one.....
5. Update my phone contacts and make it organized 
6. Go to Michigan three times in the next three months
7. Go to the zoo
8. Eat a donut at the cider mill and feed the ducks with Sam and Elli 
9. Take a nap with a baby
10. Send Steve a care package every month (I crossed off four words because I have gotten at least one care package out every month - Still have to do one for January and February.
11. Donate one thing every month to goodwill (call this nesting, I have donated TONS of things recently)
12. Update the blog at least 4x/month13. Teach all my first graders to read - They all read, but I want some of them reading faster.
14. Write in my journal to record all that God has done for me in this transition time (I do this everyday now :))
15. Take a bath
16. Get over my fear of swimming at the YMCA and just do it it wasn't as thrilling as I thought it was going to be...I mean it felt good, but not like I was expecting.
17. Run/Walk at least 2x/week - Still working out at least 3x a week and 38 weeks pregnant, I think that is good.
18. Write for a military online magazine (It's written, I need to submit it)
19. And to end it all, I want to have a baby.....Then Steve can come home and celebrate with us!