The Bungalow

Monday, September 10, 2012

Reflection

Most of the time this blog is more of a "picture book" of our lives...I just add photos to make sure I have documentation of our lives....Today I am in a "reflective writing mood" so here goes.

I am amazed at how wonderful our the last 13 months have been. I distinctly remember driving away from our house in COS and being so sad, so sad that a chapter was ending, a chapter we loved....and I didn't want it to end. I also remember being anxious about this new move. Not anxious in a bad way at all, a good anxious. I would be close to family, Abby would be able to play with her cousins all the time and Steve would get to go to school, an amazing opportunity!

We got here and were immediately "home." You know those times when your family comes to your aid and you don't even expect it to be that good...That is exactly what happened. The moving truck drove up and 15 of our family members showed up and unpacked that truck like it was nothing. They didn't stop either...then we were done by 12:00....We probably didn't even start until 9:00. We had the truck unpacked, bathrooms and kitchen cleaned, and kitchen unpacked before I could blink my eyes. Our family took work off to do this for us...that is how awesome they are. This wasn't a Saturday, it was a Monday morning....a hot Monday morning, August 1.

Then Steve started school, he made some great friends who have similar study habits and they cranked out crazy hard classes left and right. During that time we had almost every meal as a family...Not just dinners, breakfast and lunches too...Abby is crazy about her daddy and it's all because he was around so often. Don't get me wrong, he studied an awful lot, and still does, but is also able to give Abby a hug before nap time and eat meals with her. He is home to get her out of bed in the morning AND is even home to put her to bed. This is such a sweet season. One I am entirely grateful for.

Often Steve and I talk about how great life has been, especially this last summer. Oh man, the adventures we have been on. I feel like we got to experience Michigan to it's fullest, and when we see those "Pure Michigan" commercials, we know exactly what they are talking about! Michigan is the best. We have the lakes, warm weather, perfect bonfire nights, critters to catch....the list goes on and on. However, the thing that makes Michigan so wonderful for us is our family. We are with our family all the time and it is incredible. We are always getting to try new things with grandparents, play with cousins, and even spend significant time with extended family...I can honestly say it doesn't get any better than that.

Our lives are kind of hilly, and by that I mean we go through some pretty significant ups and downs. I wouldn't call our life "normal." Each significant high is followed by a low time. Which sometimes makes me nervous seeing as how great our life is right now. However, in all of this, I have a God who controls all and has put me in EVERY situation. Not only has He known when I am going to experience something, He is right there next to me, holding my hand, every step of the way. I think back to the times when it was "low" and how I just felt his presence 100% around me, His big arms wrapped around me, telling me He had it under control. There is so much peace to knowing that I have a God who is big enough to move mountains on my side...not only on my side...He is in front of me, behind me, and on either side of me. When something comes my way, He teaches me how to handle it. I leave each "high" and each "low" stronger and more confident in Him, and that is what He wants.

I am proud to serve a Lord who has more than I can even ask or imagine and I am trusting in Him to control our future.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Our beautiful Daughter

And my super talented husband.....

I got the nugget to smile, he caught the shots.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Camping

This weekend we went camping with the Klenke's. It was a delayed father's day present (talk about a crazy summer schedule) and fell over my birthday weekend! What a fun night away. Our campsite was perfect: near the bathrooms and a park for Abby, but had some trees separating us so we didn't hear bathroom traffic all night long. There were lots of kids and dogs around and Abby loved watching all of them play.

The beach! Lake Michigan is probably the most beautiful place I know....

Oops! The wind blew the umbrellas over!

Abby's favorite game with Grandpa....He would dig a hole and she would fill it in.

She wouldn't even look up for a picture...She was so intent on filling that hole in.

Look at what I found!

And...a little instagram love!

Abby got so tired at the beach the second day, she fell asleep on Steve! It was so cute. Abby doesn't fall asleep on people, she really likes to be stretched out in her crib....When we say, "are you tired?" she literally walks to the stairs and starts going up to her room. So, getting some good cuddles is rare!

Another camping favorite, reading books. This is Abby's new favorite hobby.

And playing peek a boo with the book :)

Abby slept great...She was up at one point for about an hour and turned her head at every little noise, but did not cry once! And, she loved cuddling momma all night long (which means she was either on top of me or pushing her head into my face) but, really, I didn't mind. She does love to be close and I love that.

Steve and I got to steal away from the campsite and get some sunset pics. The sky was super cloudy, so we didn't get any sunset pictures....but jumping pictures we did get!

Our campsite! What a great trip!

Favorite Game - Chase me!

One of Abby's new favorite games is "chase." Our condo is perfect for this. There is a perfect circle run for her between the hallway and the kitchen. We tried to get some pictures of her face, she is smiling and squealing the entire time!

Abby, it's hard to imagine how much I love you. I am beginning to understand the Father's love a little more by watching you. I am crazy about you...Like crazy about you. Knowing that He loves me that much and more really blows my mind. You make me so happy baby girl.