Tuesday, September 20, 2011

What's New?

Brandon-My incredible shrinking husband! Brandon has lost quite a bit of weight in the last year or so. Our family has learned to love Subway and Tuesday night Panini night as we try to eat a little healthier. Brandon writes about technology for a popular youth ministry magazine and is doing an amazing job forming a student leadership team with the students at church. He keeps getting better and better at being a dad. Just a few weekends ago, Brandon took both boys into downtown Chicago for an overnight. What a blessing to have such a loyal, devoted and fun husband!


Owen-He has started 1st grade, which means… homework! Owen and I are both getting into the routine of doing a little homework each night. He has also started doing Awana on Wednesday night at church. He came home the first night with most of John 3:16 memorized and some crazy stories about the hilarious puppets that throw toilet paper. Although we have our moments, Owen is a super sweet kid. He is great at sharing and helping, now if we can just add listening to the list…


Miles-Miles has started preschool at Mom’s Day Out again this year. Just today he was showing me the faces he makes at school to make all the girls laugh. Miles has turned a corner in the behavior department. He is really catching on to “immediate obedience” and he will actually clean up after himself without crying! Miles definitely has his dad’s creativity gene as evidenced by the gum necklace he attempted to make yesterday. Let’s just say Curly Early lost a few curls that day. Most of all, Miles is still my “lovey.” He loves to cuddle and snuggle with me and tell me he loves me.


“Ricardo”- The littlest Early boy is set to make his appearance in a little over a month. At our last appointment, we learned that Little Buddy weighs about 5lbs 2oz and at this rate most likely won’t follow in his big brother’s footsteps as a 10lb newborn! Everything looks good, except this little guy is doing summersaults. We are hoping he will complete the cycle and get into position before our next appointment. Otherwise, we are all ready for this little guy. The boys have taken their sibling class, Brandon has done the muscle work of setting up the nursery, and I am feeding this child apple cider and pumpkin donuts every chance I get!


Me-The word I chose as my theme for the year is “move.” Pretty sure I am living up to this concept. I have “moved” up to high school ministry after 11 years in junior high. Although I miss junior high, I am enjoying the opportunity to go deeper with high school students. I have “moved” into a new job. As the Assistant Director at Mom’s Day Out, I am able to do what I love (plan, organize, think, research) and I get to openly share the love of Jesus with those around me. The next big “move” we are looking forward to is being a family of 5. It has been a long journey and we are so looking forward to welcoming this new little boy into the world.


He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:3

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Count your Blessings . . .

  • Sleepless nights
  • Indigestion
  • Swollen ankles
  • Forgetfulness
  • Sore hips
  • Shrinking wardrobe
  • Breathlessness

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God has done!