Dear Friends

This time last year we were looking at jobs everywhere in the country from Dallas to Michigan I had applied and interviewed everywhere. This was bittersweet because the Lord has really given me an incredible group of friends and loving community that seeks after the Lord with all that they are. I had this in college and was so blessed to find this here in Katy so quickly! When we found out we were pregnant and we told everyone we were staying because I would stay at home with Luke, they were thrilled and little did we know how much of an impact and blessing they would be to us. I can call or text any one of them with a prayer, for help, for encouragement. I can call any one of them in the middle of the night crying because of my crazy hormones or a crying baby that can't be calmed. I love them, each of them is so different yet so precious to me!

I have no idea what I would do if I was in Michigan when I found out I was pregnant. Lord I thank you for all my friends and all the mothers who have mentored me, loved me, reached out to me, and prayed for me in every circumstance. Being in community like this, surrounded by God-fearing women, has been a crucial piece of my spiritual formation and I am so thankful for every woman that has been in my life! I love you all!

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:7

5 Weeks Old

Already 1 month!

Our little baby is growing up so fast, he is so long and his cheeks are so chubby! All I want to do is kiss his cute little cheeks. We have recently fell in LOVE with the Moby Wrap, it is a miracle sleeper. When I know he is sleepy and fussy, just put on the moby wrap, which I have mastered, then slip him in, then in a good 2 minutes or less he is out. I can do laundry, cook, blog, read, do dishes, and even take a little siesta in the recliner with him in it, oh ya not to mention shopping. See it is amazing the various looks and comments I get when I am carrying him in it, one lady thought it was a dog, seriously!

On another note, Nick turned 26 last week and it was his first birthday as a dad, it was a great pre-birthday, not so much on Sunday, Luke was a little fussy.  A little bragging on my incredible hubby- he is a great husband, so selfless and compassionate, loving, and godly. He makes great financial decisions in order to best steward God's money. He is a such a loving a fun dad, he totally rocked he Eddie Bauer carrier in order to calm Luke yesterday, and bounced the car seat with him in it in order to calm him, he dances in front of Luke to calm him, and dances with Luke in the mirror. I have never seen this side of him, but let me tell ya, it is one of the sexiest things to see your husband be such a fun and loving father! He is also running a half marathon in San Antonio in November, he is a rock star!

On a personal note, after a few good nights, come a few rough nights. He cries for about 3 hours starting at around 8 until we have tried everything to get him to calm down and eat then sleep. So far the moby wrap has won every time!  Yet, he is not totally sleeping at night, he would love to stay awake for 2 hours, not crying, just wide awake in the middle of the night. In these moments I have learned to not get frustrated so easily, be grateful that it could be worse, and pray that God would give me an abundant amount of energy the next day. My prayers lately have been to fill my home with joy and peace. When Luke is not happy and we can't figure it out, we cry out to God for peace and joy in the hard moments. He will never be this little again and I must not dwell on the frustrations and be so negative, but cherish every smile, coo, and giggle. He is our little miracle and he is learning and growing right in front of our eyes!

Oh did I mention, I got the best compliment last week, a lady said that I didn't look like I just had a baby a month ago. Made my day!

He loves bath time!