Weekend love.

When Joel is home on the weekends, my heart is full. My family is together and there's laughter, squealing, and lots of grunting(thanks to Henry) going on. Everyday has laughter and squealing but, when Joel's home I think I enjoy it more.

This week I asked Norah if she wanted to hold Henry and, she immediately put her arms out to take him. A couple other times she laid a diaper on the floor and walked over and tried to take Henry off my lap to change his diaper. She. melts. my. heart.Norah takes such great care of her dolls and sing-a-ma-jigs.

Just trying to turn the swing on for my babies!

So happy!

3 short years ago...

Three years ago, Joel and I loaded up a U-Haul and moved to Illinois. Aww yes, the U-Haul..... we actually bought furniture in ND just so we'd have something to put in the U-Haul!! Joel had a blast pulling that thing and I was content staring at the back of it for 12 hours!!

I'm not much for pictures of sunsets/sunrises but, this was the sky the morning we left. Beautiful. I remember crying most of the way to Fargo because it was tough saying goodbye to my parents but, also feeling overwhelmed with excitement for this new journey we were embarking on. We didn't know a single soul in Illinois and we were okay with that because, when you're with your best friend life is good.

Our first day in Illinois life got even better when my best friend became my fiance!


So then... we started planning our wedding, began marriage prep classes at the church, Joel started working at Caterpillar, we explored a new city and relied on each other like never before.

I praise God for bringing us here, guiding us through these last 3 years, blessing us with a great marriage and 2 beautiful babies. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us these next 3 years.

Two beautiful babies.

Henry had a real tough day yesterday consisting of gas and hardly any sleep. This morning his attitude was heading south once again- he was too tired to nurse but, too hungry to sleep. So, we went to the grocery store and I returned home with a completely different baby..... completely happy and content. Weird.

I still wish I could get in that little head of hers and know what she's thinking!
Check out that cute little potbelly!

3 Months!

It's true. Henry has blessed our family for 3 months now. He's such a happy baby with a smile that just won't quit. He's laughed just a couple times for his Mama but, hasn't let Joel hear his obnoxiously adorable laugh yet. He loves watching Norah play and he smiles when she gives him hugs and kisses. He spends lots of time lying on the floor playing with his toy arch. Henry's developed a strong disliking for tummy time which, surprises me since he's as strong as an ox. I'm not kidding- if I was going to arm wrestle Henry, I'd put my money on him to win!(well... almost)

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

Happy Thursday!

I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday; especially excited because Joel has Monday off. Hooray for 3 day weekends! Note: Henry's HILarious expression. I just love those big blues eyes.

1 Peter 1:8-9

"Though you have not see him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Sunday Recap

This was our attempt to get a picture of the kids before church..... Our little redhead..

Henry started laughing yesterday!! The little guy is SOOOO ticklish and his laugh is adorable.

You would think I would've combed Norah's wild hair before church but, nope she went as a cute little rooster.

After church two ladies were ooo-ing and awww-ing over Norah and Henry and they kept telling us how fast the kids are going to grow up. This is something we've heard over and over(somewhere close to a million times, probably) but, this time it really resonated and I thought about it all day. With Henry waking up at night and Joel and I being pretty exhausted at times, it's easy to wish for the future. I've found myself saying, "I CAN NOT wait until Henry sleeps through the night." Actually, I can wait. I will enjoy these babies for where they are now. When Joel and I are old and gray, we'll look back and wish we had two babies to snuggle with and teach all sorts of new things. I'll miss giving them baths and praying with them. I'll miss singing and dancing with them... I hope when they're older they won't remember my ridiculous dance moves or horrendous singing voice though.:)
Patiently waiting for diaper changes.
Have you always had these ears, Henry?

18 Months!

Today this little beauty is 18 months old....Please tell me where the time has gone...

Joel and I love this little girl to the moon and back! She has brought so much joy into our lives, we are truly blessed to be her parents.

Our wish for Norah as we say every night...

"May the LORD bless you and keep you,

The LORD let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you,

The LORD look upon you with favor and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26