Happy New Year

I have been reflecting on this past year. It has been a year of extreme change, extreme pain and extreme joy. 2008 has gone by so fast, yet I don't want it to go quite yet. I want to remember parts and forget others. This year I was pregnant...excited for a new life. Wondering what this baby would look like and what she would be like...and how my life would change and what would it look like as a mother. How different it is to view myself as a mother! Our mother, Roberta was diagnosed with cancer last January and lost her battle and went to see Jesus in February. She went ahead of us and is waiting for us, rooting us on to fight the fight of faith...so keep going, look to Jesus our Savior. I am so thrilled for her gain and sorry for our loss. How great it is to have hope in Jesus. This life is not the end...we were meant for so much more. We were not meant to loose our loved ones through death...we were meant to live forever. I can't wait to see Jesus one day...I can't wait to see Roberta. The holidays this year were so different this year without her. She did so much! Now I am trying to fill parts of her role and MAN! She did alot! I was beat by the end of the day.
Continuing with my reflecting...
We moved out of our home that we bought in 2003...and into my father-in-law's house. I quit my job of 4 years and then had a baby. So much change, so fast and all at once. I am not going to lie. It's been rough for me. Hard to adjust to so much thrown at me. But God is faithful...He has blessed us so much. I get to stay at home with Izzi. What a blessing that is and I am thankful.

My sister started dating a friend of ours last February. We were thrilled! I was praying that this would work! In August Nate proposed and I was bursting with joy! How good is God! December 20th they were married and now they are on a beach in the Carribean on their honeymoon. The wedding was gorgeous and a good turn out too, considering the roads were terrible as their was a snow-storm for a week. After a week of chaos with wedding running around and major stress...then Christmas planning and cooking...I am thankful it's all over and that it turned our beautifully. Now I can sit her and reflect without having to get a pen and paper for a list of-do's.

Christmas was nice...we had the family over to our house as we usually do. I wanted this Christmas to somewhat resemble what normally goes on. For Christmas morning, I made cinnamon rolls and an egg bake like we normally do and had Grandpa and Grandma over. Bill was Santa and did some major spoiling. Casey and Amy got Isabelle an adorable Seahawks beanie and stinken cute pink furry booties. Such a fashionable girl that baby is. Izzi was more interested in the ribbons and bows and what they would taste like. She loved all the activity...so much to see! She is army crawling everywhere. She can really move quickly. She is close to the real deal in crawling. I am wanting her to take her time...it's hard enough keeping up with her. She has two teeth, although she is working on the next one.

2009 - what will this year hold for us. Izzi will grow... I will learn how to adapt to life with a toddler. This year I want to be bold. I want to grow in my faith and reflect Jesus in everything I do. I want the people in my life to see God and crave a relationship with Him...too grow, to find Him for the first time and to come back and get their life where it needs to be. I pray that God will use me. Help me be bold Jesus, my God. .. to tell others about You.

I hope this year will be a year of change for you also...a year where we all look to God and grow in our walks with Him.

Merry Christmas!

Isabelle's first Christmas. Her favorite toys were ribbons and bows. Grandpa got her a toy phone that makes all sorts of racket and she is loving that.

Carrie got hitched...

Nathan and Carrie Lacy, as of December 20th. It was a beautiful wedding and alot of people came. I was suprised since the road conditions were less than desirable. Carrie was stunning and now they are laying on a beach in the Carribean. Lucky brats! Isabelle was an amazing little baby through the ceremony and reception. She was happy as a clam, such an easy child. I just love her temperment.

Growing girl...

Isabelle is now 13 pounds 9 ounces...she is 24 and 3/4 inches long. She is a week shy of 6 months. I can't believe I have a 6 month old baby. Time goes so fast.

Boise Trip

We flew to Boise last week. Isabelle and I got to spend time with Carrie and Nate. It was good to see them. Gosh, I miss my sister so much.

Family photo...

We had proffesional pictures taken a few months ago and they turned out SO cute. Isabelle was in such a great mood. So here...for your viewing pleasure...

Gone...in Montana and Minnesota

Kyle is in Minnesota, for his Masters degree. He goes twice a year for two weeks. I HATE IT WHEN HE IS GONE. Have I told anyone that before? I wish that I could go with him, now that I could since I am not working. But financially, it doesn't make sense. Too expensive. Really I am happy for him...to be fulfilling a dream so that one day he can write books, write curriculumn, speak at conferences and fire up his passion for ministry. He is so smart and keeps everything he reads in that brain of his. I quickly forget things that I learn...memorize for the test and I am good : ) I envy his brain.

I didn't want to be alone at home for two weeks. I would go crazy. So I left for Montana to stay with my mom and dad. It's great cause I get to hand Izzi to mom and do what I want. I read two books in two days. That's all I did literally for two days...laid in my sweats reading. I read "The Shack" and "The Atonement Child". The Shack...simply put...amazing. It really changes your perspective on your relationship with God and the people in your life. I want to read it again and take notes...as Kristine would say. I loved it. Did I say that already!? Wow! I am going to buy it for everyone I know for Christmas! Not really...I'd go broke. So go buy it and read it for yourself!

My Isabelle is growing so fast. She is getting so good with her hands. She works them like crazy and it melts your heart. She is babbaling alot too. My dad is so cute with her. He gets her all these toys and is excited to see the look on her face. He lit a fire in the fire place and promptly took her over there to watch her look into the fire. She was amazed...her little eyes were huge! He also went to town and came back with a Johnny Jump Up...and quickly put it together excited to see how she would like it. Boy did she. She bounces like crazy. I got her on video camera so Kyle can see. Recently she moves her legs and walks when you pull her a long. Before she drug her feet and didn't understand. But now...she walks! I had to send Kyle a video on my phone. She gets so excited and makes all sort of cute noises. I spanked her little butt and told her to slow down. She is growing up too fast. 5 months and 4 days old....sigh.

Friday I will be home...I will pick Kyle up on Halloween late. Then life can get back to normal. Not really...he is so busy. He leaves the following weekend for Boise. Taking kiddos in the youth group to "Perspective" to see if they would like to attend BBC. I might go with him...it's hard traveling with a baby...so we will see. I am still deciding.

In loving memory...

I remember this time last year, we had Kyle's parents and grandparents over for dinner to announce that we were expecting a baby. We asked Kyle's mom what she would be doing in May... because that was when the baby would be here. I remember the look on their faces when we told them. Roberta was so excited and she squeeled with joy. Bill just kept chewing with the funniest look on his face. It is a memory that I will hold in my heart forever. But Roberta wouldn't be here in May.

I have been struggling with the fact that Roberta's not coming back. She isn't here for the so many things I was looking forward to. I thought she would be here when I became a mother. I needed her to give me advice along this journey of parenthood. She did such an amazing job raising her two boys. I hope to be half the mother that she was.

Why did God take her of all people? We all loved her so much. She was one of the most kindest people that I ever met. She was such an amazing listener, but gave me the wisest of words when necessary. I feel like she will just walk back in the door one of these days. I have dreams about it. I keep hoping that will happen.

She was always buying children's books for her future grandkids. I thought she was funny, as I was not even thinking children yet. One of the books she bought is "Grandma Read to Me". Everytime I look at it, it kills me. She isn't here to read to Isabelle. Why? Why God?

We are all having a hard time now that it is fall. Summer we are always so busy, but the fall is when things slow down and we do alot more family get togethers. I remember coming over to carve pumpkins with Bill and Roberta. It's alot of "first times" without her now... and it's rough.

I know that the world is just temporary and God has great things in store for us. I know all of the right answers but it doesn't make it easy. I want her back. I see Roberta in Isabelle. Izzi has a quiet and gentle spirit and she is dainty...like her grandma. Roberta was such a beautiful person. We will carry on her legacy of loving people for who they are and always having something positive to say. We miss her more than words can say.

2-3 months

Izzi had her first boat ride in August...not such a great time. She hated the wind in her face and being stuck in a big old life vest. Next summer will be more fun.

Izzi with Obi (Sean and Anna's dog)

0-1 month

Just a few days old here.. We put her in the sun for a few minutes because she had a tiny bit of jaundice.

A week old in Grandpa Moe's arms..
Izzi is about a month old below with Kyle...at children's camp. That was an interesting experience. Being at camp with a month old baby...hmm. What was I thinking? Two months old with this pink hat :) Terri Schuler made it for her.

Isabelle's first hours...

I have decided that we needed a blog account for our friends and family to keep up with the latest in our little family. Mostly I know you just want to see pictures of Isabelle...me too. I will try to put up pictures from the beginning of her life to the present. Good luck to me on how to figure this thing out!

Life for us is busy! Especially for Kyle. Working at First Christian has had a lot of changes recently and Kyle has a lot of responsibility along with a lot of late night meetings. He also is working on his masters degree and leaves October 18 for two weeks for Minnesota. While he is home he is reading and preparing papers.

Isabelle is growing too fast. She is now a little over 4 months old. She can roll over...now to both sides. She is starting to babble all the time. I love her little voice. She is such a content and happy baby. I am thrilled to just stare at her adorable face. She recently discovered her toes and like sucking on her socks.

Me, I am still adjusting to life as a mother...and loving it. I get to stay home, which is a dream I thought would never be a reality. Our little volleyball league starts tomorrow and I am SO excited. Kyle gets to have a few hours of quality time with Izzi while I play. He will probably read with her on his chest. Izzi loves that.