Adorable picture Sunday

Another week has passed. Oh how quickly they are going by recently. We just finished another great Sunday at EBC. We got to experience a great time of Praise and Worship as well as another great message by Pastor John. He is preaching on Romans 14 and this morning he preacher on the hard topic of biblical absolutes, our convictions and our personal preferences. All I have to say is that I wouldn't won't to be the one teaching these kind of things, but he did an amazing job with a hard topic. He started by saying, hear me out before you form you opinion. I always hate it when conversations start that way. But we had a great Sunday and now it's time to start a new week and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us.
I feel like each week God presents us with new challenges and waits to see if we will respond in our own strength of rely on His strength. Interestingly enough, as Bill was teaching Club 56 (Our 5th and 6th graders) tonight, he said that God completely changed his lesson. His goal was to teach about the miracle of the Feeding of the 5000 in John 8. He ended up talking to the kids about trust and trusting God. He did an amazing job of teaching the kids on their level and relating trusting God to their every day lives. I told him on the way home that I think he spoke to the leaders more than the kids tonight. I noticed that the leaders were all making comments and adding things to the lesson and agreeing with what he had to say. Bill was trying to impress upon the kids to learn how to trust God for everything that happens in your life at a young age because the consequences of not trusting when you are older are not fun. Of the leaders agreed and it was great to see everyone sharing stories and being involved in the conversation. It's never a bad remind to trust God in the little things in life. We all tend to trust God when something huge is happening in our life but we try to handle the day to day things on our own. Sometimes I think that God's to busy to worry about the little things in my life, but isn't it wonderful to know He is never too busy to provide my needs for me.

This week in the life of Isaac...
Isaac has started smiling quite a bit. I love it when you're feeding him and he just looks up with the biggest smile. He's so cute.
We think he's starting to laugh. He's making this funny noise that isn't necessarily a laugh bit not a cry but it sound like this loud almost laugh/cry. We're wondering if he's trying to laugh at us.
Almost 3 weeks ago, the little piggy weighed 7lbs 7oz, as much as he's been eating lately I'm sure he's at least up to 8 and 1/2 if not 9 lbs by now. Even though he's eating 4 oz now, he's making less and less time every day before he wants more. He even ate 5 oz a few times last week because he was starving. I can't believe he's eating so much. Of course he thinks we never feed him so when he's hungry he goes from being completely fine to extremely upset and wanting his food in about 2 seconds.
He's sleeping longer chunks of time at lunch which is making me so happy. He slept 6 hours the other night. I was so thankful. On average he sleeps between 4-5 hrs every night. I am so lucky to have a baby that sleeps.

So once again, I end my post with pictures from this week.

I was so tired, Mommy woke me up from my nap to get me dressed for church tonight then she had the audacity to put me in this outfit with two shirts that went over my head which doesn't make me happy, then she put shoes on me so my socks would stay on, then Daddy made me wear this hat and hats do not make me happy. After all this, they want me to smile for the camera. Are these people crazy I ask you?




















So she keeps putting me under this thing and expects me to know what to do. She shakes these things and I like the nosies, yet I can't quite figure out how I'm suppose to do this. Each time I amuse her a little longer before I have my breakdown and she finally picks me up. Does anyone know what I'm supposed to do with this thing?














Oh great, not another photo shoot. Every time she puts me in the corner of the couch she thinks that I need to pose. Okay, first picture I'll try to smile. Second picture...she's beginning to bore me. Third picture, she's wearing me out, doesn't she know it's nap time? Last picture, I'm done I'm going to stick my tongue out at you now.

Tuesday Evening fun

Well here we are on Tuesday Evening watching American Idol. What I've already found is it stinks that all my friends and family on the East Coast have already seen it and voted before it even comes on where I am. But here I am, still a tried and true fan watching it and even recording it in case Isaac wakes up and I miss something.
But I'm not blogging about American Idol tonight. I just wanted to share some thoughts.
First I have the best husband in the world. For Valentines Day, since there's only a few real restaurants in Lewiston, I told Bill I didn't really want to go to dinner and wait forever just to eat, so the three of us went out for a Valentines Day lunch. We had great Italian food which I'm happy about since I haven't been extremely impressed with the Italian food here. We exchanged presents before we went to lunch and my wonderful husband got me a Willow Tree and a gift card for shoes. You know me, I'm obsessed with shoes. There are three reasons I needed more shoes. 1) I didn't buy any the whole time I was pregnant because my feet were so swollen I couldn't get any other shoes on 2) when we moved I got rid of some shoes, actually now that we're unpacked I realize I got rid of lots of shoes 3) because I got rid of so many shoes, I found I have only 2 pair of winter shoes 4) I love shoes and to go almost 9 months without buying any has been so sad. Okay, I know I said 3 reason, but I added an extra. So off we went to Payless, my favorite place for shoes, and ended up getting 4 pair of shoes. You know me, one of the only people in the world that has $30 and gets 4 pair of shoes for that. I love it.
Second, I have the best little boy in the world. I'm by no means ranking him after my shoes, but now that we have a little one, it's easy to focus only on him and not your partner, so I'm making a conscious effort to focus on my amazing husband. But...my little boy....is wonderful. I know every new mom says that but it's true. He rarely cries and if he does, he's either hungry or his belly hurts. He's very patient, except when he's hungry. I've noticed he goes from fine to absolutely starving in about 2 seconds. He makes the funniest faces in the world. Sometimes I just begin to wonder what he's thinking when we are talking to him. I think he wonders if we are crazy. He's sleeping 4-5 hours at a time at night which I am so thankful for. When he wakes up, I'm pretty sure he thinks he's never eaten because the poor boy is starving to death. I love to get him out of bed after he's been sleeping for a while because when he sees me he just gets this look in his eye like oh she's here to save me.
Even at 6 weeks old, he already knows my voice and my face. It's funny to watch him if someone else is holding him and he can hear me talking. He looks all around and then just stares at the person holding him like wait you're not my mommy. We always joke that he's thinking, wait something is wrong with this picture. I love my little boy. I keep wondering how I know how to console him or take care of him, but it's like everybody says you just know what to do. I didn't the first day or even the first week or so, but you learn more about these little ones every day. I am so thankful that I get to stay home with him and take care of him every day. Yes there are hard time and hard days, but it's all worth it when he smiles at you. That little smile melts your heart when he gives them away. He's still pretty stingy with those smile, but it makes them all the more special.
Well, I have lots to do this week as we are having an open house on Friday for the church to visit. Now that almost everything is in it's place (if it's not, it's just going to have to stay that way) I feel as though I can have people over and not be embarrassed. Thank you to all who helped me get my house in order. I didn't realize how hard it would be to plan a party and do the preparations when you have a little one. Fortunately he's an amazing baby and usually sleeps from the time he gets in his car seat and I have to wake him when we get home, but it does add another element to your planning that you don't think about before.
But I leave you with this thought. Another thing that God has laid on my hear during my prayer time. The God I serve listens all the time. There's never a time where He's busy or has a day off and it's never too late. I realized as I was praying last night, God listens to me whenever I talk to Him. I am so thankful that He listens no matter what. He is so good.
I'll leave you with a few pics of my boy!

He was so tired after playing with Mommy and Daddy that he sacked out. I literally turned around to get a diaper and he was out like a light before I turned back around



I caught the tail end of a smile








I'm number one!







Mommy and her boy!

New Pictures

Sleeping Baby

Mommy, you surprised me.

Big yawns

Daddy and Isaac nap time

Love from Daddy

What is he saying to me?

This man keeps talking but I have no idea what he's saying.

The blanket Aun Maribeth made for me.

Don't mess with me

I'm ready to go work out.

Addtion to the last post

So I finished my last post on the note that I had to go change a dirty diaper. Little did I know that when I picked him up he had peed through his diaper, yet again, on our bed. This is the third time this week. I swear I've done more laundry in the last month than I ever have in my life.
Next it was dirty and very smelly. I turned to put in the trash to look back over and wonder why the diaper stacker was wet. This little stinker was peeing all over his room yet again. I just looked at him and said what are you doing little stinker and he just smiles at me. That makes it all better :-) He's just so cute.

Question of the day

So as a new mom, we have lots of questions. As the doctor assured us today all of the things that we questioned are perfectly normal. But we have an odd questions that we have been asking ourselves the last few days. Anyone of our friends who have been with us lately are asking themselves the same questions. Also most of Emmanuel Baptist who sit on the left hand side of the sanctuary are asking themselves the same question. So you ask, what is this question that all of these people are asking themselves?

How can this little boy who now weighs 7 lbs 7 oz (we are very happy about this) have bodily functions that are worse than a grown man????

Let's us just say this, our church know exactly how loud he can burp as he burped loudly during a very serious moment in Pastor John's message Sunday morning. Okay, maybe it wasn't as loud as I thought, but it seemed very loud to me. Secondly this little, adorable, teeny tiny little boy passes gas louder than a grown man. It's funny to be in a place where no one has heard him pass gas and everybody in the room looks at each other to see who just passed gas. Let me tell you, it's not only the sound, the smell is indescribable. The only thing that I can think to describe the smell is rotten eggs. Let's describe it this way. In Lewiston we have a paper mill called Potlatch. Let's just say the smell of a paper mill in 110 degree weather is not pleasant. Even when it's cold outside, the smell is something that can only be understood when you smell it yourself. Right Mom???? There have been several times we've been in the car and I look at Bill and say "Is that Isaac or Potlatch?" It's hard to tell.
I never thought that a little boy could make such a horrible smell but it's true. I can't tell you how many diapers we've gone to change and take it off and the diaper is totally dry to our amazement however we still change it because the smell of the diaper is atrocious even though there's nothing there. Lately this has been something as a new mother that makes me laugh on a daily basis. What we've also found is that when he actually does have a dirty diaper that we must wait to change the diaper because he will go 3 or 4 times before he's done. The interesting thing is that he won't go a second or third time until we open the diaper. I can't tell you how many diapers we've waisted because we will change the diaper get him all cleaned up, put the new diaper on him and he dirties it again. He's such a little stinker, but it makes Mommy and Daddy laugh every day.
Other updates on Isaac......as I already said, he now weighs 7 lbs 7 oz. We are thrilled with this. The doctor even said today that if I choose to, I no longer have to give him formula because he's gained enough weight. He gained a whole pound in a week. When I told the doctor he was drinking about 4 ounces every 3 hours he was very surprised. I guess this why he's gaining so much weight. He is also learning to smile. I love it! It's so fun when you talk to him and his face just lights up.
Well, as I sit here and type the smell from my precious boy is becoming overwhelming.......so I must go and take care of this smell before I begin to gag.
Oh wait......
Before I go, here's another picture of my adorable little boy. Look at those eyes. Aren't they just adorable.

Thankful...it's not even Thanksgiving

If you know me, you know that I love to read people stories. I love to know about people lives, even if I've never met you and will never meet you, I like to know stories.

So today I was looking on a friends blog and they had links to two other families asking for prayer. As I have never met these families and never heard their stories, I began reading today's blog and was completely intrigued so I went back and started reading their blogs from several weeks ago to understand their stories better. After reading these stories, I was moved to tears for these families and understanding what they are dealing with and reading how in the midst of insurmountable trials, they are giving God the glory and trusting God to see them through this trial.

Please don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for my family, especially my new son, but reading these peoples stories, I was reminded that even though I have bad days and frustrating days, I am immeasurably blessed by God. He has truly blessed me so much more than I deserve. God has given me a wonderful husband who is in love with Him. Bill cherishes me so much and does such an amazing job being a father and husband. I have the most perfect little son who is learning to smile at me. I never thought in a million years that I would get so much enjoyment out of a little smile for a baby boy. I am blessed with a family (parents, in-laws, sister, aunts, uncles and grandparents) who love me unconditionally. I know that I could pick up the phone at any time and call any of these people if I needed something and they would do everything they could to help me. Yes, it's much more difficult now that I live in Idaho, but I am so thankful for these people who have supported me and loved me for so long.
We have been so blessed to truly have a church family in Idaho. Since I don't have any family members anywhere near close, it was important to me that I had a church family that I can go to if I have questions or just need a friend. God has blessed us so much with several people that we have developed such good friendships with. I understand for the first time what a real church family is. I am so thankful that we have several good friends. People always say that you are rich if you have one good friend, but God has given us so many good friends here in Idaho. I'm fully convinced more every day that this is exactly where God has perfectly placed us. I am so thankful that we waited for God and didn't push any doors open and step in front of God's perfect plan for us. There were many times over the last few years that we knew that God wasn't calling us to certain places, but the opportunities looked so good and promising but we both knew God wasn't calling us there. We could've gone ahead and gone knowing this wasn't where He wanted us and we waited. As we all know, waiting is the hardest thing in the world to do, especially when you can't see how the plan works out. But I am so thankful that we waited for God.
Another thing that I am so thankful for in Idaho is for the doctor that God provided us here. I know that Isaac is now a month old, but as I think back, I am so thankful for the doctor that I had who took what I said seriously and didn't downplay any of the things he saw when I visited the office 2 times a week. Because of him I have a perfectly healthy baby and I am healthy and maintained my health during my pregnancy. God perfectly placed him in our lives.
So I ask you, what are you thankful for? Normally we all get reflective around certain times of the year, but I encourage you today to stop and think about all the things that God has blessed you with. What things in your life do you take for granted that are true blessings from God. If you stop and think about it I'm sure we can all come up with lists of things we are thankful for that we take for granted. God is so amazing and I am so thankful that His love is always unconditional and no matter what I do, He continues to love me and remind me that I am HIS child. Wow, what an amazing thought.

One month old

It's hard to believe that Isaac has been a part of our lives for a whole month. Well, he's been a part of our lives for more than a month, but an actual part where we can see him and touch him for a month.
He's such a wonderful addition to our lives. Yes there are some challenging times being a mom, but it's all worth it when you get a big smile. We are so excited that he's recently started smiling and it's not gas. Wednesday's are hard for us because Bill works till 5:00 then has to be at AWANA at 6:00 and he doesn't get back until 9:00. So we miss him on Wednesdays. This Wednesday, Bill came home and came down stairs to talk to us then went back upstairs to change his clothes. As soon as he went upstairs Isaac started crying. I was talking to him and said don't worry he will be back in just a minute and he'll bring you a bottle. As soon as he heard Bill coming down the stairs he stopped crying then once he could see Bill he started smiling at him. I tell him every night as I feed him that he's Momma's boy, but I realize that I'm probably going to fight against him being Daddy's boy forever. But that's okay. Being a Daddy's boy isn't all bad. He loves his Daddy.
As we think back over the last month we are truly amazed at how God has gotten us through these last weeks. Not that they've been horrible, but we both thrive on a large amount of sleep. I become very grouchy if I don't have enough sleep and Bill tends to get sick if he hasn't had enough sleep. This hasn't been the case. While in the hospital I slept a total of about 10 hours. Usually I would be the most hateful person, but God truly took over my emotions. I think some of it had to do with the fact that I was so excited that I could finally hold my baby in my arms and see him that the lack of sleep didn't really bother me. But since I've come home it has been hard, but God gives me the energy that I need in order to get things done and the understanding that if the dishes don't get washed or the clothes don't get put away, the world will not end. God is always so good to us. He always proves himself so faithful and provides in so many ways. God has provided us with so many things over the last month that only God could have known that we had the need. He always provides.
So as usual I'll end the post with some pictures of my boy.....


So an explanation....Isaac was a little more hungry than I thought. When Daddy got him out of the car seat and leaned down to kiss him, he immediately latched on to his nose and almost refused to let go. What a funny kid.


Mommy caught the beginning of a smile.



More smiles!


As Michelle says, he's solving all the problems of the world.

Picture Sunday