Vacation!

I love vacation. Who doesn't, right? I was especially looking forward to this vacation because I get to spend time with my awesome family who I very seldom see...and miss dearly. What made the trip even more special was that Brian's parents were coming with us!

Our week started in Denver where we visited Garden of the gods and the New Belgium Brewery. The trip has been full of driving!! This has proven difficult with a 1 year old. Poor Claire has fallen subject to a diaper rash of the absolute worst kind. It's the hardest thing in the world to clean her after a dirty diaper because she just cries and cries because it hurts so much. Thankfully after a day of staying on top of Lotramine, A and D cream, and corn starch....I think we might have it to a manageable level. What a day!

Although we have had ups and downs, we are having a good time and are excited to continue our adventures in Chadron. We got here in the early evening after a grueling 6.5 to 7 hours on the road. Brian did such an awesome job getting us to Nebraska despite his exhaustion. During the last hour of our jour eh I honestly thought I couldn't entertain Claire for even 1 more minute...I just wanted to be out of the vehicle! Claire's cries and whines truly reflected how I felt!

When we pulled up to my grandmas house my heart swelled inside and the awfulness of the journey seemed to melt away as I said hello and hugged all my family members. Seeing my grandma was, as always, priceless. I love that we made it. It hasn't been a perfect trip so far, but we will make some good memories and hopefully grow closer as a family.

Tomorrow is the parade, buffalo burgers, and homemade ice cream!

At the pool with grandma Barb

A little hesitant at first

 

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Bad week, good reminder.

I recently came across a blog post that made me stop and think.  I'm usually a "glass half full" kind of person, but sometimes (like this week) it feels like my cup is no where near half empty.  Nothing epic has happend and everyone's health is good...it's just been a series of little things and overall exhaustion that has brought out the worst in me this week.

I don't often (if ever) post links to other blogs...mainly because I don't read them that often.  In this instance...I'm going to.  I don't follow this blog and don't intend on regularly checking it, but it certainly helped me get in the right frame of mind today.  So, thank you to those who are praying for me.  God is listening.  He's with me.

http://www.incourage.me/2013/05/how-everyone-can-be-an-optimist.html

100th Post!

I really have wanted to post more than I am, but honestly I'm also proud that I have kept this up for as long as I have.  I do love posting blogs and sometimes wish that I had more of a focus...but overall this blog works for me and my personality.  It's random, friendly, and it keeps you updated on the things going on with us...even though some posts are a full month apart!

We've decided to put our house up on the market!  We are SO excited.  I might be more excited than Brian because I probably have a lot less actual work to do than he does.  I must say that I am so impressed over and over by the work he does. I know his favorite part is the planning stage of things (followed closely by demolition), but he really does a great job on the things he does.  As time goes on I'm more and more comfortable with projects he dreams about on our NEXT house!  Haha.  Before even thinking about our next house we do need to get this one ready and we're guessing it will take a month...(so likely 2).  I will keep you posted!

In other news, Claire turned 11 months this week!  She just gets bigger and bigger!  I love it. I'm really anxious for her to walk.  Mostly because it will get us a lot closer to ending physical therapy.  I think she still has a couple more weeks to go, but she is so ready to get moving on her feet!  Love it!

I love that the weather is turning a corner, even though it's cold this weekend.  I love that the sun is still shining.  It's a beautiful looking Mother's Day and my amazing husband made me breakfast after church today.  We initially swung by Wildberries and it was a TWO hour wait!  I really hope we get to go there some day!

Ok, well I hear the hubbs going to town on the room upstairs so I'm gonna go help clear that room out!  He's laying floor tomorrow!

Pictures to follow...having trouble with uploading right now...
If you want updates every now and then - check this site out http://clairesshoebox.shutterfly.com/

9 and 10 months!

9 months old!

I'm ridiculously behind on my monthly photos!  Claire is growing and developing by leaps and bounds.  I feel like she went from barely able to sit up on her own to crawling overnight.

Ok maybe not THAT fast, but it does seem I discover she's learned something new nearly every week.  She is now very good at crawling and she pulls herself up on just about everything.  If she were taller she would definitely be climbing up on the couch all by herself.  She very interested in the world out there.  When she encounters something new she gets very quiet and almost studies it.  (this includes tasting it if possible)

She is 10 months old and wearing almost all 12 month clothing.  She has finally grown some hair, so hopefully won't be called a little boy anymore!  She's been fighting ear infections and a cold here and there, but overall I feel like we are nearing (hopefully) a "well" time.  I'm so thankful that her nose hasn't run in almost a week!

We did have to let her cry last night though.  How heartbreaking to hear your baby cry and not go and pick her up and snuggle her!  Brian and I concluded that in order to get her back on her sleep schedule (and not waking up every few hours at night) we needed to let her try and calm herself down.  Longest 30 minutes EVER! (ok maybe when I was in labor w/out pain meds at a point was actually the longest 30 minutes ever, but you know what I'm saying)  Brian and I laid in bed...just listening to her whine, cry, scream, and fuss.  Then...after 20 minute...silence.  Once Brian declared victory - and we were settling in...it started up again!!!  10 more minutes of the same.  Little stinker!  She did finally calm down and sleep until 3am, then 4am... then we got up at 7am.  The point is - we didn't get up and pick her up.  Hopefully this helps her get back on track!  We will see tonight.

Ok - well I will leave you with some fun pics!

look what I made at daycare! (with some help)

mom and her ridiculous ideas for an easter photo...

Claire's "easter basket"

Claire's Easter Sunday outfit

10 months old!

wearing Dad's "favorite outfit" when he was Claire's age/  We had fun dressing her up in it and calling her "sport" haha

Cleanse him

Before we join in prayer for our husbands I just feel like I need to say something.  Some of these prayers get pretty specific and I want to point out that I am following the template of "the power of a praying wife" book, so perhaps the book prays for a sin, unconfessed sin etc...  I just want to state that I don't want that to negatively reflect on Brian.  I think it's important to pray against sin in our husbands' lives, but since I'm praying "publicly" I don't want people to think I have something specific about Brian in mind and I'm writing it here for the world to see.

Ok - glad I got that off my chest.

Let's pray, " Lord I pray that You would convict my husband of any error in his life. Let there be "nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.  Cleanse him from any secret sins and teach him to be a person who is quick to confess when he is wrong (Ps 19:12). Help him to recognize his mistakes. Give him eyes to see Your truth and ears to hear your voice. Bring him to full repentance before you. If there is suffering to be done, let it be the suffering of a remorseful heart and not because the crushing hand of the enemy has found an opening into his life through unconfessed sin. Lord, I know that humility must come before honor (Pr. 15:33). Take away all pride that would cause him to deny his faults and work into his sould a humility of hear so that he will receive the honor You have for him."

In Jesus name, Amen.

Bless his work

How fitting that the next prayer in the list is a prayer for my husband's work!  We've been praying a lot for my work and for me to be successful, looks like I need to share the love!  As some of you know, Brian broke his arm roughly 5 weeks ago.  God was SO gracious in providing him a boss that still allowed him to go to work and do "whatever he could."  I mean...how many bosses do you know that will pay you for sitting around. (well, will pay you KNOWING you are just sitting around)  I'm just so thankful that he didn't have to take 6 weeks away from work without pay!

"Lord, I pray that You would bless the work of Brian's hands.  May his labor bring not only favor, success, and prosperity, but great fulfillment as well.  If the work he is doing is not in line with your perfect will for his life, reveal it to him.  Show him what he should do differently and guide him down the right path.  Give him strength, faith, and a vision for the future so he can rise above any propensity for laziness.  May he never run from work out of fear, selfishness, or a desire to avoid responsibility.  On the other hand, help him to see that he doesn't have to work himself to death for man's approval, or grasp for gain beyond what is a gift from You.  Give him the ability to enjoy his success without striving more.  Help him to excel, but free him from the pressure to do so.  I pray that you will be Lord over his work, and may he bring you into every aspect of it.  Give him enough confidence in the gifts you've placed in him to be able to seek, find, and do good work.  Open up doors of opportunity for him that no man can close.  Develope his skills so that they grow more valuable with each passing year.  Show me what I can do to encourage him.  I pray ther his work will be established, secure, successful, satisfying, and financially rewarding.  May he not be "lagging in dilligence, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." (Romans 121:11) Let him be like a tree planted by the stream of Your living water, which brings forth fruit in due season. May he never wither under pressure, but grow strong and prosper (Ps 1:3)."

In Jesus name, Amen

Mini-update

I have enjoyed sharing the last two prayers with you.  I will share another one today, but before I do I feel like I should update you on the family.

This past week has been a whirlwind of activity...mostly stressful activity.  A week ago started with Claire going to physical therapy and crying the whole way through - then a trip to the doctor where we found out she still had her ear infection and it got much worse.  We picked up some new meds...then she was off to the helmet doctor.  THREE doctor visits in one day makes for a crazy day.  I'm sure at this point Brian wishes he could actually have a day off!!  Wednesday Claire was having an extremely hard time breathing and we ended up renting a nebulizer to help her get through it.  She did well with the treatments and only cried when I would give her the treatment!  The daycare went on and on about how well she did during them!  Go figure - the "fighting mom" attitude is starting quite early in my opinion!

Brian's parents sensed we had a very stressful week and they took action and drove out for the weekend.  Saturday evening they pushed us out the door for a date night.  We decided to really live it up and go to diPescara in Northbrook.  We had a wonderful time of just us.  Truth be told - it really was needed.  It was just a great time to connect and not feel rushed or guilty.

Brian's arm is healing well.  Two more weeks and he will get his cast off.  We are all excited about that.  (yes even Claire...she may not know she's excited, but I assure you - she is)

Well, that about catches you up.  I am continuing to pray for Brian on a regular basis. Maybe not every day, but definitely making an effort to do this more and more regularly.

Happy Monday.

..."God, I proclaim you Lord over my life.  Help me to seek you first every day and set my priorities in perfect order.  Reveal to me how to properlly put my husband before children, work, family, friends, activities, and interests.  Show me what I can do right now to demonstrate to him that he has this position in my heart.  Mend the times I have cause him to doubt that.  Tell me how to prioritize everything so that whatever steals life away, or has no lasting purpose, will not occupy my time.  I pray for my husband's priorities to be in perfect order as well.  Be Lord and ruler over his heart.  Help him to choose a simplicity of life that will allow him to have time alone with you, Lord, a place to be quiet in your presense every day.  Speak to him about making your Word, prayer, and praise a priority.  Enable him to place me and our children in greater prominence in his heart than career, friends, and activities.  I pray he will seek you first and submit his all to you, for when he does I know the other pieces of his life will fit together perfectly."

In Jesus name, Amen.