A new day

Life's just starting for us now as we enter a new chapter in our lives. Our Iowa adventure came to an end and  our goals have been reached. I miss Estherville dearly and I enjoyed studying at Iowa Lakes, but I'm excited to move on and create new memories and relationships. I now have my AA degree out of the way and CJ graduated the wind program. He is now working as a traveling wind technician. We moved back to the Springfield Missouri area at the beginning of summer so that I could be close to my family while he is away. We just dropped him off at the airport Monday and today was his first day. It was a hard day for me and I realized how much more difficult it will be than I thought. Today has been better; I've kept myself busy all day and didn't have time to be too sad. I don't regret our decision and I'm grateful he found a job so soon after graduation. I just miss him. The plan is for him to travel for a year or so, then transfer with the company to a stationary position.  I can do this! ..I hope.

At the end of the semester we found out I'm expecting again. So baby number two is on the way! I think I'm about 3 months. He or she will be born about a month before Bryer turns two. I'm very nervous to have two babies but I'm excited to have a newborn in my arms again. And I'm glad Bryer will have a sibling to play with. They will be so close.

Bryer has been having a good summer so far. I can't believe how much she has grown. Every day she does something that amazes me. It is simply wonderful getting to know her as I watch her grow and evolve into her own individual person.  I'm so blessed to be her mommy. <3

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be." <3

Did you laugh today?

I've been having an off week. Trying to keep up with all my classes, housework, and a baby definitely is not an easy mix. I've been extremely frustrated with math, this cold and snowy weather, and the fact that there are not enough hours in the day. I could really cut eating and sleeping out of my schedule, that would make things a whole lot easier. There are so many things on my to do list that are waiting to be checked off, plus doing something that I really love to do. This has all resulted in a very grouchy wife and mommy lately.  :(

But then something happened today that made the rain go away and shined sunlight upon my heart. Bryer's laughter. :) 

She will always and forever be the one thing in this world that will lift me up above the stars when I get weighed down. I am so grateful Heavenly Father placed this little angel in my arms to keep and make her mine. She is my treasure, my strength, and I don't know how I ever survived without her.

When I am on the verge of crying I just look at her and see her smiling at me and can't help but smile back. I soon forget about what was bothering me and begin playing peek a boo or crawling around on the floor with her acting silly.

I realized something very important today. This evening I was giving her a bath and she was splashing around having the BEST time. I don't think I ever heard her laugh so hard, and it's been a while since I laughed so hard with her. Laughing was good for me, it took away all my stress and I was able to think clearly and positively.

I used to think that having a good cry made everything better. Well I just learned that a good cry followed by a good dose of laughter is the best medicine. Probably comes with great health benefits too.

Just thought I'd share. Hope everyone remembers to laugh today! :)

<3

Thanksgiving in Missouri 2011

Every year we alternate families & holidays. This year we spent Thanksgiving in Missouri with my family. It was great seeing everyone! & I think Bryer enjoyed her very first Thanksgiving. : )

It was great seeing my cousin's again! It's been forever since we got together last. It feels like just yesterday we were playing barbies and pretending to be the Sanderson Sister's from Hocus Pocus and begging to stay longer when we had to leave, haha. : ) Time flies!

I've been meaning to post this blog sooner but between finals and taking care of Bryer I haven't had time. I'm really tired tonight but I wanted to go ahead and post tonight while Bryer is asleep. CJ and I are ALL done with finals now and are ready for Christmas break. We both have one more semester left. CJ will receive a dual degree in wind turbine technology and an AA transfer degree. I'm getting my AA transfer degree in elementary education. We have no idea where we'll be this summer...I suppose where ever the wind blows us. : )

Bryer update blog will be up soon... <3

xoxo

Bryer's first Halloween!

Cutest baby elephant ever! <3

 I have an Anatomy & Physiology class every Monday evening which fell on Halloween so I originally planned for Bryer to go trick or treating with her cousins since I had class. But then I decided that I really didn't want to miss my baby's first Halloween and ditched class early so I could take her trick or treating. I'm glad I did. <3

 Our first stop was of course at our neighbor Pam's house, who loves to spoil her. Her porch was very festive so we sat her in front of the pumpkins for some photos. That milky way never left her mouth the entire evening. : )

 I especially love this one because we tried really hard to get her to look at the camera but she couldn't keep her eyes off of the witch. haha

I hope everyone else had a fun Halloween making memories and eating lots of candy. We did! = D

<3

Beautiful photos by Megan Van Sipe

We've gotten to know a lot of wonderful people during our journey in Iowa, and Megan is one of them. I am so glad that we have crossed paths and had the opportunity to get to know her and Evan. We value their friendship so much. Here's some photos that Megan took during some of our outings.

I'll never forget how much Bryer enjoyed this day. We went to the downtown market and had a picnic with Megan. <3

After they moved to Titonka Iowa we went to visit and found a little road in the middle of a field and felt like laying out a blanket and having a photoshoot.