Well, we enjoyed a fun surprise on Tuesday that caused me to go out and hurriedly make a pink cake before Dwight got home from work. The reason? Well... we found out we are having another little girlie in March, and that is how Daddy was going to find out! :-) (That was the plan anyway, I accidentally blurted it out when Dwight was teasing me... so hopeless at hiding reactions!) I had no preference for either a boy or girl - since I already know how fun and unique each can be! I guess I just didn't want to wait this time until the birth - impatient, impatient!
We are so thankful for God's preservation of this lil' one's life! At the appointment (which was my first for this pregnancy) we discovered that I was 17 weeks along instead of the supposed 12. She was so big and cute - with really long legs and arms! We didn't realize I was so far along because I had severe 1st trimester bleeding during the time we were packing and moving (must have been more stressed out than I realized). I didn't know there was a baby, so I didn't think anything of it (figured it was confirmation that I wasn't expecting!), but looking back now we can only thank Him for protecting her. And extra thankful for the friends and family who came and did the heavy lifting with Dwight! Guess it makes sense now why I was so tired and nauseous during that time... I just chalked it up to being a wimp (which I am). ;-) They did a quick anatomy scan and she looks healthy as can be!
She is such a little wiggleworm (just like big brother and sister). It is fun to feel her moving about! During the ultrasound, she waved her little hand at us. Zachary and Chloe enjoyed that! She is beautiful. :-)
Thank you for our children, Lord! We sure love them! :-)
Friday, October 21
Sunday, October 16
Leaves, Pumpkins & Life @ the Baileys.
Happy Fall to you! Isn't Fall amazing? I love the sound of crunchy leaved as we step on them, the smell of baking pumpkin in the air (Libby's pumpkin factory is a few blocks away!), and the cool days that leave me wanting to curl up with a blanket and a cup of tea (is it nap time yet?). God has been so good to us amidst this crazy year and we are left very thankful and humbled by His mercy to us.
Dwight has been working at Samaritan Ministries Intl. (a ministry offering affordable heath-care coverage for Christian individuals and families seeking an alternative to typical health insurance while supporting the body of Christ in their needs) which is based out of the Peoria, Illinois area. It is an amazing story of how we found out they were looking for a CPA, weren't interested, had a change of heart, and then the job was made available to him. It has definitely been an example of God's goodness in our lives!
As you know from a previous post, we were kind of in a "where are we going to live?" panic when we were faced with finding housing on a short time frame (10 days!) in an area that basically just didn't offer much. ;-) Little did we know, my uncle had a home listed for sale in the area (but hadn't had any interest), and he called and offered to let us stay there with a very reasonable rent. It was such a relief to be able to move into a wonderful area right away! It was another miracle worked out!
The next couple weeks were insane as the realtors informed us of how we brought "good luck" to the home. Hah. Hah. Hah. :-P Basically, that meant that in the first 14 days of living there, the house was shown or prepared to be shown seemingly 10 times, each on a different day. It was a challenge to have it looking presentable on short notice (and like we didn't just get there!) with two little ones, but God gave grace and bits of energy to get us through. Yet, I cried a lot. Isn't it crazy how we (ahem *I*) can become so self-centered amongst something that is such a good thing??? Then there were offers put on the house and we were told that we would probably be needing to move in the next couple of weeks.
To make a long story short, WE ended up buying the house. We were so happy to be able to be settled into our very own home, with the closing behind us, just 2 months after moving into the area! When we were job hunting and wondering how everything was going to go, there is no way I could have ever imagined such goodness. :-) It is a loverly 2-story home with plenty of room for us to raise a growing family in (decent-sized yard too (once the weeds are cleared!) and in a wonderful & safe area with the library and parks just a short walking distance away. Supposedly built in 1873, it has so much of the fun character that comes with an older home - high ceilings, rope & pulley windows that are really tall, woodwork & wood floors, stained glass window, and even a humongous boiler living in our basement. ;-P It will be so fun fun to make "ours!" An added bonus is knowing that it really needs no work done to it - my uncle pretty much did most everything already (though we do want to do some exterior work, but that is inconsequential compared to the inside)! After helping my family tear our home down to its studs earlier in my years (I know... they have been so many of those) and then renovate it... that is music to my ears. :-P
So life is continuing on and the kids are growing and growing! Chloe turned 2 last month (can you believe I have a two year old???!), and Zachary (9 months) is a cruiser on the move. Dwight and I were able to spend yesterday going to a wedding of a friend of ours in Indiana (sans little ones - veeeerrrry rare occurrence), it was so much fun to be able to be together and talk! He is my best friend and I love him so very much!
Happy Fall and Thanksgiving season to you all! :-)
Dwight has been working at Samaritan Ministries Intl. (a ministry offering affordable heath-care coverage for Christian individuals and families seeking an alternative to typical health insurance while supporting the body of Christ in their needs) which is based out of the Peoria, Illinois area. It is an amazing story of how we found out they were looking for a CPA, weren't interested, had a change of heart, and then the job was made available to him. It has definitely been an example of God's goodness in our lives!
As you know from a previous post, we were kind of in a "where are we going to live?" panic when we were faced with finding housing on a short time frame (10 days!) in an area that basically just didn't offer much. ;-) Little did we know, my uncle had a home listed for sale in the area (but hadn't had any interest), and he called and offered to let us stay there with a very reasonable rent. It was such a relief to be able to move into a wonderful area right away! It was another miracle worked out!
The next couple weeks were insane as the realtors informed us of how we brought "good luck" to the home. Hah. Hah. Hah. :-P Basically, that meant that in the first 14 days of living there, the house was shown or prepared to be shown seemingly 10 times, each on a different day. It was a challenge to have it looking presentable on short notice (and like we didn't just get there!) with two little ones, but God gave grace and bits of energy to get us through. Yet, I cried a lot. Isn't it crazy how we (ahem *I*) can become so self-centered amongst something that is such a good thing??? Then there were offers put on the house and we were told that we would probably be needing to move in the next couple of weeks.
To make a long story short, WE ended up buying the house. We were so happy to be able to be settled into our very own home, with the closing behind us, just 2 months after moving into the area! When we were job hunting and wondering how everything was going to go, there is no way I could have ever imagined such goodness. :-) It is a loverly 2-story home with plenty of room for us to raise a growing family in (decent-sized yard too (once the weeds are cleared!) and in a wonderful & safe area with the library and parks just a short walking distance away. Supposedly built in 1873, it has so much of the fun character that comes with an older home - high ceilings, rope & pulley windows that are really tall, woodwork & wood floors, stained glass window, and even a humongous boiler living in our basement. ;-P It will be so fun fun to make "ours!" An added bonus is knowing that it really needs no work done to it - my uncle pretty much did most everything already (though we do want to do some exterior work, but that is inconsequential compared to the inside)! After helping my family tear our home down to its studs earlier in my years (I know... they have been so many of those) and then renovate it... that is music to my ears. :-P
So life is continuing on and the kids are growing and growing! Chloe turned 2 last month (can you believe I have a two year old???!), and Zachary (9 months) is a cruiser on the move. Dwight and I were able to spend yesterday going to a wedding of a friend of ours in Indiana (sans little ones - veeeerrrry rare occurrence), it was so much fun to be able to be together and talk! He is my best friend and I love him so very much!
Happy Fall and Thanksgiving season to you all! :-)
Thursday, July 21
God's Provision - a Job!
Hey there! Could you all be in prayer for us? We are in process of accepting a job Dwight was offered (I'd prefer to not give specifics till the paperwork has all been finalized, but it is for a small ministry in central Illinois that was seeking a CPA), and life is a bit craaaazy right now with trying to find housing and packing and all. We found out yesterday that they would like him to start August 1st. Things have been happening VERY fast. :-)
It is hard to believe that it has been 3 months of unemployment / no income for us, but God has been so faithful to take the bit of savings we had set aside and stretch it for our needs (we've even been able to get some free fresh raw milk for Chloe to drink so we didn't have to buy so much almond milk!). We are going to miss living in the same town as Dwight's family, but are thankful to still be close to both his and my parents. We are excited!
Thank you, friends!
It is hard to believe that it has been 3 months of unemployment / no income for us, but God has been so faithful to take the bit of savings we had set aside and stretch it for our needs (we've even been able to get some free fresh raw milk for Chloe to drink so we didn't have to buy so much almond milk!). We are going to miss living in the same town as Dwight's family, but are thankful to still be close to both his and my parents. We are excited!
Thank you, friends!
Tuesday, June 28
Our lil' Man
Zachary is all boy... it is so much fun! And he is a very happy lil' guy at that, always laughing or smiling (well, unless he is starving or needs changed, but that is very understandable!). And hungry? Well, he is hungry all the time - definitely a boy! I am so thankful for our buddy and that God allowed him to get past those early scary days to be a healthy and strong boy who we pray will be a mighty man for the Lord as he grows and a courageous leader. He is an easy-going chap who loves attention, we can even tell times where he gets a bit jealous of his big sister... when I hold her while Dwight holds him, he won't let me out of his sight without complaint! So I don't mind at all when he wakes up at night or doesn't take a particularly long nap during the afternoon, cause he needs Mama time, too. I love holding him and laughing with him. The littlest things make him so happy. He really enjoys it when Dwight or I read to him or sing/ play music. He loves his Grandmas and Grandpas & Aunts and Uncles (he has lots!). He adores Chloe, and patiently endures all the kisses she gives him... what is funny though is the delight he shows while pulling her hair. We rescue her the first time, but when it is intentional (i.e. practically placing her hair in his hands) she is on her own! He giggles and giggles. :-)
He is very determined and is a roly-poly even though it causes him to wake up more at night when he discovers that he just flipped himself over. He can sit supported (and sometimes even all by himself). It seems so crazy that he is so big already. And he loves, loves, loves food. Did we say he is hungry a lot? Yup, he is a boy! Where in the world have these past six months gone? I guess time flies when you are having fun! (And moving, etc. lol.)
He is very determined and is a roly-poly even though it causes him to wake up more at night when he discovers that he just flipped himself over. He can sit supported (and sometimes even all by himself). It seems so crazy that he is so big already. And he loves, loves, loves food. Did we say he is hungry a lot? Yup, he is a boy! Where in the world have these past six months gone? I guess time flies when you are having fun! (And moving, etc. lol.)
 |
| Gotta love the hair "flame". In case you're wondering his hair is red - and getting redder! |
 |
| I love his big blue eyes! |
 |
| All boy! |
 |
| What'cha looking at Mum? |
 |
| I can fly! |
 |
| Sittin' |
 |
| I love them! He's got the best daddy. :-) |
Friday, June 24
Miss Chloe Sophia
I love having a little girl who wants to be just like Mum... wanting a spritz of perfume when I'm getting ready for the day, taking my purse (filled with her things) outside with her to play ( lol, my handbag becomes a shoulder bag!), stepping on every bug she sees to ensure it dies, laughing like me, feeding/ holding/ diaper-changing her baby doll, cooking and baking (with her very own apron thanks to Erin & Hope... she loves it!), "reading", praying with her eyes shut while holding Daddy's hand, singing wherever she is, she is even trying so hard to beg for pierced ears (we'll talk more about that one in 10+ years) ... :-)
But what I really want is for her to be like Jesus... because I know of all the things in my life I don't want for her to mimic or imitate! It truly is a sobering thought to realize how much my lil' sweetheart wants to copy me. Even just the lil' mannerisms she picks up. Rather scary, actually! I love her so much, and she is being such a wonderful big sister to Zachary! We are so thankful for her beautiful, sweet, curious, and energetic little life. :-D (Don't worry my lil' chap, a post about you will come soon!)
We have fun teaching her new things (well, teaching her to obey isn't always that fun...). She isn't talking all that much yet, but understands seemingly everything! She is veryyyyy adventurous (even willingly ate a chocolate covered cidada along with her Daddy and I, though I must add that Daddy was very gallant to eat the heads for us. She didn't want to, and as I couldn't... I wasn't about to make her! She said "Yum!" after finishing hers. Bleh.). She loves to give hugs and give (and blow!) kisses and do summersaults. Another random fact about her? We are pretty sure she is left-handed. :-)
But what I really want is for her to be like Jesus... because I know of all the things in my life I don't want for her to mimic or imitate! It truly is a sobering thought to realize how much my lil' sweetheart wants to copy me. Even just the lil' mannerisms she picks up. Rather scary, actually! I love her so much, and she is being such a wonderful big sister to Zachary! We are so thankful for her beautiful, sweet, curious, and energetic little life. :-D (Don't worry my lil' chap, a post about you will come soon!)
We have fun teaching her new things (well, teaching her to obey isn't always that fun...). She isn't talking all that much yet, but understands seemingly everything! She is veryyyyy adventurous (even willingly ate a chocolate covered cidada along with her Daddy and I, though I must add that Daddy was very gallant to eat the heads for us. She didn't want to, and as I couldn't... I wasn't about to make her! She said "Yum!" after finishing hers. Bleh.). She loves to give hugs and give (and blow!) kisses and do summersaults. Another random fact about her? We are pretty sure she is left-handed. :-)
 |
| Cousins! :-) |
 |
| Riding a donkey with her Aunt Dora and Cousin Alissa. :-) (With Aunt Abby and Aunt Renee helping) |
 |
| She loves it that she can carry her baby like I carry Zachary. |
 |
| Making calzones for Daddy's lunch. Look at her pink rolling pin! |
 |
| Yes, we take pictures of our kids while they are sleeping. We can't help it... you've probably caught on that we think they are quite cute. ;-P |
 |
| Laughing. ;-) |
 |
| Modeling her haircut once I finalllly cut it! |
 |
| Where has the time gone??? :-P |
 | |
| She was so good on moving day. Over 13 hours in almost 100 degrees with no air conditioning. With only 4 stops. My babies are troopers! |
 |
| She loves her American Girl catalog! |
 | |
| Cleaning up strawberries. :-) |
VocalPoint
I don't know if any of you use Vocal Point, but it is a great way to get a variety of free samples to try of both food and personal/ household items. One time we got a sample of Kashi along with some high-savings coupons. Another time I was able to pair the coupons they sent with a sale to get over 5 boxes of Kleenex for free. Not bad, eh? Right now their promotion is for Glad trash bags.
Vocal Point - Trash Bags Sample
Vocal Point - Trash Bags Sample
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)