Sweet Memories.

I've had some sweet moments with our little man lately..I'm thankful for these precious times.  

Last night, Noah woke up around 11:30 calling for Mama.  I'm not sure what was happening..I didn't really care..I just took the opportunity for some snuggle time with my boy.  After I sang to him and tried to lay him back down and he wouldn't go, I decided he could watch a bit of a movie with me.  So I turned on a movie and we snuggled, and while Noah was resting his little head on my belly, sweet Baby Duey was kicking Noah. First bonding moment?  Makes my heart so warm.  

Today we worked on making candy for our neighbors.  We made peanut butter buckeyes, and Noah's job was to place them on the cookie sheet.  He did a great job.  He gave his mama some confidence too; I gave him a bite of the filling and he promptly responded with "NUMMY!"  So stinking cute. 

To end our morning...our adventure became less super sweet and a little more nerve wracking.  Someone locked himself in Mama and Daddy's room.  Our locks are the kind where you twist the lock...so I called Brad in a panic and had to confess that Noah had locked him self in our room under my watch.  

GOOD JOB MAMA! 

When I called Brad, I was so at a loss for what to do I was laughing hysterically.  I couldn't control it.  It wasn't even funny to me, but I didn't know what to do.  I had my penlight out and was shining it in the hole and trying to figure out how to get it unlocked.  I kept asking Noah to try to unlock it.  No go! 

Thank goodness for Tom and Rose - Tom heard Brad on the phone with me and got ahold of Rose, and they had the perfect tool for our little man.  I think all in all it was only probably 30 minutes of him being locked in the room.  He did great...made a big ol' mess of the room.  I'm so grateful that Rose had the tool.  I was ready to call the police or the fire station :) but thankfully that was not needed!  

So our little adventurer is getting so big.  I'm just not sure what to do with him! :) I love it!  

So here's the thing.

My craving this pregnancy...donuts.  

ALL THE TIME.  

I don't just want them. I truly think I NEED them.  Today I had to stop and get gas on my way to a class where I would IN NO WAY be burning those donut calories off...but I bought three donuts.  THREE.  I ate every single one too before I even walked into class. (I had visions that I would bring 1 or 2 to class with me to munch on but no luck)

I then felt super proud of myself for eating chicken, carrots, and broccoli for lunch (which was quite delicious, actually, for hospital food). 

But my pride stopped there as I went grocery shopping when the class ended and bought myself a whole container of donut holes (I told myself Noah and I could have them as a special breakfast snack together- but who am I kidding? I don't let that kid have that much sugar- just his mama) 

So I'm a little concerned.  As the doctor gave me my lab slip yesterday morning for my glucose test.  I legitimately fear that this may not go well for me.  I mean the sweets I have been craving are just out of control.  With Noah I craved cupcakes..my coworkers could attest to that...LOTS of cupcakes..but that was kinda it on the sweets front.  This time..if it's sweet I want it.  (Salty too...I also bought chips and queso today at the store) 

I so wish I had the desire or the self control to be one of those pregnant women who really did only eat organic foods and took such great care of herself. 

Sweet baby inside of me..Mama is sorry.  Please don't come out craving donuts.  PLEASE. 

All this to say...Leah Gibson, your blog inspired me.  I told Brad I'm interested in trying to look into this whole gluten/wheat thing after the baby comes.  Let's be real here..it's not happening while I'm pregnant...I'm find it a victory to get a relatively healthy and quick meal on the table every night..so I'm not going to start any new crazy trend.  But please keep blogging about your adventures in this..I'm kinda interested in learning more, and I'm really just not a researcher.

In other news..Noah is hilarious. All the time.  That boy cracks me up.  I LOVE it.  He truly is the best gift we have EVER been blessed with in our life.  I find myself getting tearful sometimes just thinking of how life is going to change for us when he's not our only kiddo anymore.  But the kid is awesome.

Also, I go back and forth every day it seems on whether I think Duey is a boy or girl.  This week I'm back to boy..but as I was looking at baby girl onesies today I almost cried (not an exaggeration I cry easily when pregnant) and got all silly over the fact that this could be a girl.  Praise the Lord, my fears are beginning to subside over the girl thing. Laura S. I would love to get your email to see how you are handling all this with your 2 almost 3 precious little ladies- I've been meaning to comment after yours and keep forgetting! 

That's it for now.  Relaxing now after a fun night of candy making for the neighbors and coworkers with the sweet hubs.  He rocks.  Have a great week!

Just a note

Baby is riding LOW this time.  

Low Rider.  I think that's what I'll call the baby now...just joshin' I'm sticking with Duey.  But still.

I feel like when I sit down it's much tougher to get up than it should be..my belly is big but not that big. Plus I have to use the ladies room.. CONSTANTLY.   TMI?  Sorry. 

I'm not uncomfortable..it's just strange how different each time can be. 

It's funny because last time with sweet Noah I felt like I couldn't breathe when I sat down..this time around I breathe just fine, so I'm thankful for that.  

I can't lie...it makes me suspect that sweet Duey is a girl.  

Also all the wives tales say it's a girl..except for like one - the Chinese Calendar says boy...it said boy with Noah too but I never knew that until this time around.  :) 

I promised the ladies in Austin that I try the drano trick.  Google that bad boy.  It's happening. But only when I can find some drano..because according to Mr. Dave Campise...the king plumber...drano is a terrible terrible thing.  So I hate to waste the money on a big ol' container that will ruin the pipes.  

All that to say..I still maintain I think our little nugget is a boy.  Brad is dead set little one is a girl.  Noah is indifferent.  I keep asking him and he looks at me like I'm crazy.  :) 

That's it for now..soon to come a play by play of our perfect weekend in Austin.  It was beautiful. Truth. 

Have a great night.  4 loads of clean laundry to be folded are calling my name...BOO.  

All at once.

We have a tendency to make changes all at once. 

This summer we decided to move across the country..and then found out we were pregnant.  Nothing like mixing two incredibly emotional changes together. 

This week.  

Brad is out of town for a whole week

I started my new job

Noah is going to daycare for the first time ever

This morning I was just a little high strung.  I got up super early and packed everything up because I was so afraid we would be late.  

(The daycare shares a parking lot with the hospital but I felt I needed to be 45 minutes early- just in case haha)

Work is going well.  I mean...it's all just classroom this week.  I keep comparing it to Heart Hospital.  I have to say...that's a little unfair to my new job.  I mean it's just a totally different ball game. The other nurses starting with me are very nice, one of them is also starting in ICU with me so that's nice.  

Yesterday I had a minor breakdown as I found out I was scheduled for both Thursday and Friday night this week, after having orientation M-W and then with Brad being out of town.  Thankfully, it was easily correctable...so I'm off the schedule for the unit until the 27th.  My breakdown lasted all of 45 seconds..and it was completely internal, but you know how I've talked about the ugly cry.  I had a moment where I thought "OH NO- WHAT DID I DO?!"  In 45 seconds my thought trail was something along the lines of this: 

I'm scheduled this week?

Why didn't they call me?

What would have happened if I didn't come up here today and clarify?

SERIOUSLY, why didn't they call me? 

I can't work those days...

How on earth will we figure this out? 

Wait- WHAT- I'm orienting on NIGHT SHIFT?

This isn't a night shift position.

RIGHT? 

Or is it? 

OH MY GOODNESS- did I take a nights position.?

No.  

No...they said it was both...

30 second pause for conversation with my supervisor something like the following:  

Our conversation was something like this in all of 30 seconds:

Me: "Oh I'm working this week?  Or are those going to be taken off since we're orienting?"

J: Oh no we'll just take you off of those.

Me: "Oh ok..and I'm orienting nights? This is a day and nights position right?

J: Oh yeah definitely, we just needed to get you on the schedule.

Me: Got it...I will orient days too?

J: Definitely. 

My brain: AMEN! Thank you. Rachael, seriously, breathe you big freak. 

P.S. I went back today to get it all figured out and the schedule ended up perfectly.  Seriously, I'm actually really excited about starting.  If only my brain could get it under control.  

Oh well.  Makes for entertaining thoughts. One more day of work and daycare.  WOOO .  

P.S. Sitting in a chair for 8 hours..while pregnant.  Just not that fun.  I think they may think I'm weird with as much as I reposition during those classes.  

What an awesome weekend.

Oh my goodness.  This weekend was wonderful.  I'm so thankful, especially because of the week we have ahead and all the craziness that this will mean. More on that later..let's talk about the sweet weekend!  

We have to first give a huge thank you to Mimi and Grandpa Bud for coming up and hanging with our precious boy so we could have some Mama/Daddy time with friends!  

This weekend we had our first Austin visitor and we were so pumped!! One of our dearest friends, Anish, headed up this way to hang with his cousins and us for the weekend.  It was fabulous.  We had deep dish pizza, saw the new Bond movie, and braved the cold wind and rain to watch the Bears/Texans play some football.  It was awesome! Noah joined us on Friday night for dinner, but Carl and Rosemary kept him both Saturday evening and Sunday evening so we could go up to the city.  It was so nice!  Here are some pics...

My man.  I just love him.

These two are besties. 

Watching the Aggies ruin Alabama's undefeated season.  We root for the Aggies in honor of our dear Aggie friends back in Texas.  

At the game again.  We loved our seats.  We sat with Tom, Rose, and Alex.  Even with the rain...it was a great experience.  I do wish the Bears could have had a better game..but being a Colts fan it was a short mourning period for me.  (Jackie, I hope poor Alex isn't sick...I think he may have been the wettest of all of us) 

Before the game..we were with quite a few Texans fans...they let us borrow the flag but made me cover up my Bears gear.  

In honor of Veterans day..

In other news..because I'm in a picture mood (and a shout out mood) shout out to Rox and Jake!  Thanks guys for getting our dresser for us!  Rox is my go to girl on where to get the best deals..she filled me in on these online garage sale sites that she checks all the time and gets great deals. So I decided to join them and see what was in store.  Then BAM I found this beauty for 40 bucks on one of them (and Rox saw it for 35..so YAY I got it for 35) But of course it was the Indy group I joined..so those awesome Standeford's picked it up for us this weekend!  I'm so excited!  Seriously.  35 dollars.  Baby Duey now has his/her first item in our home! 

And finally..because this makes me giggle every single time.  Our son loves dogs..and this one in particular, though I'm not sure Gracie feels the same way.  Last week we were able to spend some time with El and Rose on Tuesday afternoon and Noah was digging it when Rose was feeding Grace some snacks.  P.S. El I edited the medicine part...but it makes me laugh out loud every single time! 

Also p.s. have I mentioned that I love being closer to El and Rox, and walking through these second babies together.  Love you both.  I feel like the Lord really blessed me with your friendships..especially when I was hurting so much missing our loves in Texas! Excited we've been able to spend time together lately :) 

And finally...we are closing in on two weeks til Austin!  YAY!!!!  Can't wait to see you all.  

Late night ramblings...

P.S. I just looked at the clock after I titled this and realized it's only 11:30.  Brad's been down for at least an hour, Noah went to bed at 7:30 (more on that in a few).  So in my head it's like 3:00am but nope.  :)

Speaking of Noah going to bed at 7:30 - it was 9:15 before he fell asleep.  Someone gave him swedish fish a little before bedtime.  I don't know who did that.  Certainly is wasn't his mama trying to get him to get still and face time.  Definitely not his mama.  Or maybe it was.  Kid threw a P-A-R-T-Y in his crib tonight.  Oh well.  So cute.  Can't blame him right?

Assisting in the party atmosphere is the train that goes by our house like every 5 minutes at night time.  Brad looked at me earlier and said "Clearly whoever drives that train doesn't have kids."  I'm not kidding..so many trains on this fine evening.  I usually don't notice them but tonight they were making their presence known.  Brad went in to check on Noah at one point (he had managed to get his arm caught in his crib) and Brad said when he was leaving his room Noah was calling out "choo choo" 

Currently I am watching a movie and knitting a scarf, ya know and blogging.  (On the movie boggle (one of my favorite things) and knitting were both referenced in a cat-lady type of manner - nothing like being called out but I'm totally not a cat-lady) 

Speaking of knitting.  My scarf is a Bears scarf - orange and blue - I feel a little like a traitor as I am a MAJOR colts fan.  But we're going to the game on Sunday night in Chicago..and I refuse to be cold...and I happened to have some orange and blue yarn that was just hanging out not being used so a scarf it became.  

I'm working on being more frugal, using more of what we have available, being more resourceful with meals and things.  It's a fun and needed challenge.

Our first visitor from Austin gets in tomorrow.  We're so excited!!  We have Anish coming tomorrow, then we get to head to Austin in a few weeks, and then the Mullins come to Indiana.  YAY!!!!! I mean seriously it's like a whole month of greatness!  

That's about it.  Have a great night!

It's November. What.

I don't even know how that happened.  

Last week for Halloween sweet little man was a lion.  I wanted to be all creative and make his costume, but then my exhaustion won out...so we bought one.  Regardless...he was adorable.  He actually loved it.  He kept pointing to houses with lights on and saying "this this" "there there." He was loving it.  He tried to walk right on into a few of the houses, so I think we can say it was a success.  So stinking sweet.  After he was finished he was super cute dumping his candy out of his bucket and putting it back in over and over.  

The election is today.  I, for one, will be so thankful when the decision has been made.  Noah and I went and early voted - best decision ever.  It's hard to remember, but I've been working on telling myself, that regardless of what happens today absolutely nothing is outside of God's control.  He is sovereign.  No matter what the outcome today, it is not a surprise to Him.  Because of this, I can rest in the peace of knowing that while this country feels a little out of control, it's just not.  I know who rules this world.  I know Him, he's my Father, he's our creator, and he loves us.  So I'm trusting today...no matter the outcome.  

I start my job on Monday.  I'm feeling very excited and sad all at the same time.  I've missed using my mind for nursing...even just one day a week.  I've missed serving people this way.  I'm sad because I'll obviously miss our sweet little man..that's hard.  Also because Heart Hospital was the best job ever.  I'm really not exaggerating...I loved it.  So I"m really hoping to feel that way about this one.  

As I am starting my job on Monday, Noah starts daycare for the first time ever on Tuesday.  We've picked one that is right next door to the hospital and we both feel really good about it.  I'm so sad that he has to go to daycare, but I'm actually really excited for him to have some interaction with kiddos during the week, and some structured learning too.  Think it's going to be good!  

Sometimes my heart is ugly.  I feel like Brad gets the brunt of this.  I don't just feel this, I know this.  Here's a true confession for you, because if I put it here...maybe I'll the accountability will be good.  Since moving here, my discipline has really been lacking.  My relationship with Jesus seems to have been put on the back-burner which is ridiculous considering I have so very few things going on.  I have been so very convicted because I've been watching friends doing some really awesome things for Jesus.  My response to this usually tends to be a little extreme.  Something like "Brad seriously what are we doing with our lives? We're useless.  We need to be serving people.  Why are we such slackers?'  Seriously this goes on and on..and that's just not fair to Brad.  I know the problem.  The problem is me. My heart.  My laziness.  I don't have any big revelation...other than I'm asking the Lord to change my heart, and to help us get plugged in to serve.  Relying on Him, because I've clearly been trying other solutions and they aren't working. 

While we're on the confession thing...I am scared out of my mind to have a little girl.  Don't get me wrong..I will LOVE and ADORE and sweet baby girl.  I know that.  I'm just terrified.  Brad, my sweet and ever-level headed husband is of course not worried either way.  He's certain that no matter what we'll be just fine.  Sometimes I love that mindset of his, sometimes I think I may go crazy.  I have all these fears about how on earth I'll handle a little baby girl...not so much when she's a baby...later.  When she's a toddler and she wants to play beauty shop and she realizes her mama doesn't own any nail polish or makeup.  Or when she's a little bigger and realizes mama has no idea how to do her hair.  Or when she's a teenager and I'm trying to help her work through the pain of being a a teenage girl and realizes her mama never has the right words.  For some reason..those moments don't scare me as much with a boy...but I guess because I know what it's like to be a girl...I just want so badly to parent well.  I ache in my soul for our children to know Jesus..and to find their peace and identity in Him.  I ache to remember that it's not up to Brad and I.  We just have to do our best.  The Lord can handle it.  

Anyways..that's about it for now.  

An update

I feel there may be two blog posts coming on.  And update..and then maybe one that actually talks about something a little deeper.  Having all sorts of thoughts tonight.  So first...an update.

Night two of bink-be-gone: Cutting the tip off the bink - a mix of failure and success.  Failure in that it took 5 hours (SERIOUSLY 5) for him to fall asleep.  The boy is crazy.  He giggles, plays, yells, cries a bit.  We go check in on him, but he just wouldn't give in.  However SUCCESS in that finally at almost 1230 he finally went down.  He woke up super happy and giggly..and wasn't at all upset about the bink.  

I'm a little concerned he's still going to want it.  But at least he finally gave in.  I figure he must know something is off with it taking 5 hours to fall asleep.  

Today is his first day of napping with the broken bink. He really was upset today.  He cried LOUDLY for a few minutes.  I went to check on him, and tucked him in again and he hasn't made a peep since.  Here's hoping it keeps getting better.  

He definitely doesn't even think about it when he doesn't see it so eventually I have faith it will work.  

In other news..I'm wondering if we're going about these transitions backwards.  Wondering if he really might be ready to potty train.  Last night he ran up to me right before bedtime, patted his diaper and said uh-oh.  I asked him if he wanted to potty and he said yes and went running in there.  Next thing I knew he went.  YAY Noah!  Today as I was using the ladies room he said peepee, and we went straight to his potty and he went again.  So I guess he's getting it.  He seems to prefer to do his real business on the potty...he doesn't seem to notice the tinkle in the diaper as much.  

We've been looking into daycare/preschools for little man.  

#1 it breaks my heart to think of being away from him for that many hours and him not being with his Auntie Kat (or Shauna, Cara, or Janielle.  that boy had some seriously awesome peeps in Austin) 

#2 it's hard to decide what is best for him.  We've narrowed it down to two options but Brad hasn't been able to see either one yet so we'll see.  

#3 I think he could really benefit from this atmosphere for a couple days each week.  The school I looked at today is a minimum of two days each week, but I think that could be so good for him.  He really doesn't have any interaction with other kiddos other than in the church nursery each week, and he misses his friends. Or I miss him having the opportunity to play with his friends. Plus I might have the opportunity for groceries/cleaning/errands if I'm only working one day a week.  That way our time can be more quality on the days he doesn't go.  

#4 I have so much respect for mama's who work full time.  Some of these things we're having to think of (hours of daycare, cost, if it's good for him, yada yada) we never ever had to worry about it in Austin.  How amazingly blessed we were.  Now, as we are going through all these searches I am frequently reminded how thankful I am for the last year and a half of Noah's life for him being loved on by our sweet friends, and that I have so much respect for parents who have already figured this all out.  It's tough.  

#5 We have to make a decision pretty quickly so I'm really hoping for some peace on this soon.  

That's about it for now.. have a great week!

Bink Be Gone

Alright.  Yet another parenting move I thought we wouldn't fall prey too.  The binky.

Before a year old Noah could have it during the day, but we soon cut it off except for naps/bedtime/airplanes and some public outings.  At home we try not to give it to him.

Well since we've moved, we seem to have regressed.  All of us.  We parents give it to him...because we don't want a scene, or we want him to be able to sleep.  He grabs it if he sees it out of his crib.  

OH NO.  

So tonight we cut it off.  Cold turkey...took it away.  

And then three hours later we gave in.  He got it back. Oops. 

I think tomorrow we're cutting the tips off.  I think that might work better than this cold turkey stuff..so he at least thinks he has it. 

Goofy boy didn't cry until the end.  For 2 1/2 hours he just talked/giggled/played in the crib.  At the end he was so tired he just cried.  Until Brad came and handed me the bink to give to him, at which point he gave in to his exhaustion and hasn't made a peep since. 

But tomorrow we're starting boot camp.  It's time..the thing has to go.  Baby Duey is on the way and we really don't want Noah regressing once that happens. 

Next up is possible potty training.  Brad has been wanting me to try this, and I have been in total rebellion against that.  I  doput him on the potty pretty much once a day every day..and he usually goes.  He never fusses, he just goes. So after the bink..I supposed I'll try it.  But I am in no hurry.  I want it to work when we really do potty train.  And I'm not convinced he's ready.  I suppose the fact that he is interested and goes almost every time even just a bit is a good sign.  I guess the mama in me isn't ready for him to be grown up enough to understand the potty. And if you are thinking he's not even two yet and there's no way he's ready...we are going to be realistic about this.  Not force it.  We just figure if he shows interest lets go with it. 

That's about it for now.   Have a great week!

because i'm on a roll...

Clearly I need someone to talk to during the day because I feel like I am ready to have a conversation with my blog like every day.  I know these posts are more interesting to me than you...but like I said..gotta chat with someone.  :)  

So Leah, as I've been reading yours...a blog of confessions.  

Noah used to be able to transfer if he fell asleep in the car- PERFECTLY- into his crib.  He did this up until we moved here...or maybe a month or so afterwards.  So unfortunately now if he falls asleep in the car he thinks he's all done with naps for the day.  This particular mama isn't getting any sleep at night...I RELY on nap time.  Today.  He doesn't want to sleep.  But he's exhausted. I'm hoping to win the battle.

My kid is addicted to Curious George.  He gets to watch it on the ride back and forth between here and Lafayette, but I mean he's obsessed.  If he sees the ipad he starts calling for George.  If I tell him he gets to watch George..he starts giggling like he has just won the best prize of his life.  OH NO.
I'm baking my very first ever pumpkin pie from scratch currently.  The filling was about the consistency of milk.  Seriously.  If you remember back to our first Thanksgiving married and the absolute tragedy that was my pumpkin roll- you can imagine I'm a little apprehensive.  I followed the recipe exactly...I'm just worried I didn't have enough pumpkin puree (when I say from scratch I mean real pumpkin and homemade crust) 

I really nap every single day if I can when Noah naps.  I mean like I put him down, and go jump in our bed.  Ironically I cannot for the life of me sleep in that bed at night...but during the day it's my favorite place in the apartment.  Today, no nap...as I previously stated Noah doesn't want to nap, plus the baking of the pie.  Oh well.

I'm on a crochet kick, I miss you Amy Bean and your amazing knowledge of crocheting.  I'm currently working on trying to read crochet patterns so that I can work on some new ones as the babies keep on coming into our friends' lives.  I am super behind but working hard on trying to get them done.  I'm not convinced I will be able to read a pattern as the only pattern I know Amy taught me in the car.


Noah is going as a Lion for halloween.  Adorable. 

I give up.  I think he's not going to sleep.  Time to play with the little one. :) 

• 
  

Who needs a name.

I think this baby may be nameless.  

Truly..if Duey is a boy..it could happen.  Can't agree on anything.  Not because we're super stubborn so much as neither of us loves one enough that we have to have. I keep finding names I like..then vetoing them myself.  Noah stole the only name I was certain of.  I have a few that I am liking more and more..but so far they are no go's with Brad.

If Duey is a girl...well we have quite a few we like.  Brad's pretty dead set..but I feel like we have to have options.  Just in case? 

But we have to have one of each prepared this time.  That's fun! And crazy.  

HALFWAY today.  I am so excited.

I forgot how much fun this part is.  This part where I can watch my belly move.  The first little precious movements.  So stinking amazing.

Also amazing...we are going to AUSTIN.  It's official, in December, bought our tickets today.  I've been giddy all day, like a silly little school girl.  YYAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!  

That's it.  :) 

Oh insomnia.

2am. 

Wide awake..but feeling like maybe I could be starting to fade soon.

But hey, I have to say you can get a lot done in these hours when everyone else is asleep.  I just finished off a baby blanket.  Which is good because I have lots to make, and even more burp cloths to make so I have to get moving.

But the couch is getting old to sleep on.

When I was pregnant with Noah I couldn't sleep either, and we moved to the guest room.  However the guest room in this condo is a little too small for both the crib and the bed so our bed is in storage and I have taken up residence on the couch a few nights a week.  I miss my husband, who thankfully is a very gracious man and doesn't take offense to the fact that he wakes up many mornings with my side of the bed empty.  (Don't think I don't try- I'm stubborn..I keep trying to fall asleep in the bedroom but often end up on the couch) 

Oh well.  As I've been sitting here working on my blanket Duey has been kicking away which just makes me so happy.  The first hints of the precious bond I'll have with this little one.  Can't believe that we're halfway through on Thursday.  It feels like it's going so fast..and yet it feels like it will take forever.  I think that's just because of the not knowing if Duey is a boy or girl...I'm so excited for that moment to see what the fourth precious member of our family is.  But I'm also super excited that we're going to be surprised. So 20 weeks down..20 to go! YAY!!

I went out for my first social thing tonight with ladies.  I went with 4 other ladies who are at my table for the Mom2Mom ministry at the church we've been going to.  I had a great time.  It was nice to be with some ladies again.  I'm thankful that these women have been so welcoming to me.  Thankful!

Brad and I are going to make our first homemade pumpkin pie this week.  I'm pumped.  I've never made anything homemade in regards to pumpkin (as in I usually use the can) but at the pumpkin patch Brad was fascinated by the pie pumpkins and asked if I wanted to try to make one from scratch.  So I'm going all out..crust and all.  I'll post.  As previously noted, I'm not an excellent baker, or cook for that matter, so we'll see how this goes! :)  

That's about it for now...feel like my eyelids are getting heavy so I think it's time to give sleep a chance! 

Have a great week!

Naps!

Thank goodness for nap time.  I have taken a nap 4/5 days this week.  I'm so grateful for that.  I'm grateful that Brad is patient when the house isn't perfectly organized and doesn't get mad when I waste what free time I have during the day to sleep.  

Seriously though, a nap can do wonders. 

I skipped the nap today.  I'm in a crazy crafty mood so I spent nap time crocheting today, and plan to sew tomorrow.  LOVE it.  Love all the sweet babies we have gifts to make for.  

Super excited for this weekend.  We get to see Baby Due (Prounounced Duey) tomorrow.  Since this time around we aren't going to find out if the little one is a boy or girl, I told Brad I needed a name that Noah could say that's not just baby.  We came up with a few and none of them stuck, so sweet Dave Campise suggested due.  It's two in Italian.  Noah has totally picked it up. It's ADORABLE.  Last night in the car he started calling out Duey.  I thought that maybe he was just babbling.  But today he saw my belly and said it again.  When I asked him where Duey is he came and patted my belly, then I said we should give Duey a kiss and he gave his little kiss to Duey.  Oh my goodness.  It's precious!  

So I will now refer to the baby as Duey.  Silly but exciting to have something to call the little one.  

Our 20 week ultrasound is tomorrow morning.  I'm so thankful they do weekend ultrasounds so Brad can be there too.  I tried to record the heartbeat for him the other day, but failed twice.  (Seriously that's a little pathetic but true) So I'm excited for us to be together for the ultrasound.  Yay!! 

We're going to try to go to the pumpkin patch tonight if Brad gets off in time.  LOVE this time of year!  The weather is perfect, the trees are beautiful, it's amazing.     

That's about it for the day.  A little man I know and adore just woke up and is chatting away in his room.  Time for mama to go play!  Have a great week! 

Because I don't want to forget this time...

I'm going to write down some of my favorite Noah things.

I have to write them here..because I'm not great at baby books (I'm still working on Noah's...1.5 years later so I have to write it down somewhere...) so I'm going to write it out so just in case I get to that baby book I have the info to fill it in.  :)

Our little man is crazy.  Crazy fun.  Crazy silly.  Crazy busy. Crazy TODDLER.

We're in LOVE. 

Lots of things I need to get a picture of or a video..but here we go.

He is now front facing in the car.  Our pediatrician might have our tails if we were still in Austin..but after riding front facing while in Florida and then at Mom and Dad's..he is no longer interested in rear facing.  Our car rides are now much more chatty.  Sweet little man of ours likes to tell me about everything he sees.  I love it.  He does yell out what he wants me to know...and gets louder until I respond.  So we have quite the time.

He throws things from the backseat at me.  It's pretty funny.  I shouldn't let him do it, but it just cracks me up. And he only does it when he's playing.  

He can also see me, which is good and bad.  If I'm eating...bad..he wants what I have. If he's mad...it's bad..because he realizes he can vocalize how unhappy he is.  But if he's in a good mood..it's awesome because he is full on in all his silly glory and I love it.

Moving on from the car...he has some new words.

Emi: Semi

Bus: Bus (He thinks anything that is rounded on top is a bus even UPS trucks and dump trucks)

Utru: Truck

Bubbles

Mo: More

Peas: Please

Pubby: Puppy

Up peas: Up please

Yesh: Yes

Meme: Ma'am (Which he will get on a roll saying Meme Meme Meme- I'm really trying to get him into yes ma'am.  We'll see how that goes.)

cackers: Crackers

He answers questions with umm..no or ummm.yesh. Sometimes the answer makes me want to pull my hair out..always the answer is cute.

He is a full on tantrum throwing toddler now.  I'm not sure what to do.  There is a real moment of terror that comes over me when he goes into meltdown mode.  It kinda makes me want to curl up and cry.  (I think that may be partially pregnancy hormones) On Sunday we had a tantrum moment at home.  I mean the boy was in hysterics.  Brad tried to do the discipline (because that most definitely is more effective than Mama despite my best efforts) we put him in timeout, I went in after two different attempts by Brad and he finally calmed down.  I don't even remember what on earth the tantrum was over.  Today is was because he tried to hit me (that's new too) in Penney's so I wouldn't let him walk anymore and he screamed the entire way out of the store.  I felt like every woman in the store was thinking "Woman get your child under control" and all I could think was "Lord how do I parent him in this moment? Because I'm pretty much out of ideas."

Please parents of children older than mine..any tips?  Brad and I are all about trying anything.  It's not all the time by any means. For the majority of times he is our sweet tender hearted boy.  But I have this fear of not curbing these behaviors early enough, and we want so badly to raise him well..to understand that we discipline him for his heart, so that he can display the love of Jesus, and not just be on him about his behavior.

Back to fun..

If you ask him how a flamingo stands he kicks one foot out.  It's adorable.  Our neighbors have three plastic flamingo's in one of their flower pots so we do this alot.

He will dance sometimes.  Cracks us up.

Plays well with other kiddos.

He thinks it's hilarious to be chased. So he will grab something he knows he isn't supposed to have and go running with it with this huge ornery grin on his face.

He has learned he can open to bottom cabinets to stand in them to reach things on the counter.

He loves to throw things away, or put things in the sink, or "help" me with the laundry and emptying the dishwasher, he'll bring pillows when I'm making the bed.  My little cleaner man.

He has become kinda a snuggler in the last few weeks.  Oh my goodness am I in LOVE.  I am treasuring every moment of snuggles I get because once that baby #2 comes I know our time will be a little more limited for just he and mama time.

LOVES to be outside. At mom and dad's he gets so excited if I say the word outside.

Likes to find my shoes to give to me.

Has a happy dance where he kinda hops back and forth from one foot to another.  It's so stinking adorable.  I need to video it.

He LOVES babies.  Everywhere we go he says "baby baby baby" and then if the baby is crying he is super worried about it "UH OH UH OH Baby!" There were babies crying on our flight home from Florida..I thought he was going to jump over the seat to get to them.  He was pretty obsessed with sweet Ella while we were in Florida.   

That's it for now.  Have a great week! 

Updates.

Life has been good.  :)  

I am so thankful for the last few weeks that we have had.  They have really made me feel more at home...which is a little ironic since I've spent like 3 days here over the last  two weeks. Hahaha oh well.  

On a side note...if you have called me in the last weeks and I haven't responded please forgive me.  It's coming. I will call soon.  So so sorry.  

We went on a Disney cruise with Brad's parents two weeks ago now.  It was sooo amazing.  Disney just makes you feel so special, and it was so relaxing.  It was AWESOME.  Noah did great on the cruise and we were so thankful for that.  Brad and I even got some time together which was great.  I'll post more about this later which actual pictures.  It was perfect. 

After the cruise we spent two days at the Disney parks and then headed over to see Sarah, Phil and their three beautiful little ladies.  We got to meet our newest precious niece and that was AMAZING.  It's hard to be away and not get to help out with the girls for Sarah and Phil but how great it was to have some time together.  It was hard to leave.  

When we left Sarah's Noah and I headed back to Mom and Dad's while Brad had the week to spend in Muncie.  Noah loves it there so as always we were super relaxed and able to rest up a bit there.  

We finally came back home Saturday night so we could make it to church on Sunday.  We have a new church we've now been to twice and we're excited to keep going.  We miss the Stone so much...but we have to find a church home here.  I was pumped on Sunday because we got a call from a girl for the mom's program the church has.  I didn't know that I had gotten in (there was a wait list) so when I got the call I almost cried I was so excited.  Here's a chance to meet women, who have small kiddos, who live near me.  YAY!!!  

Today was my first meeting and I loved it.  We sit in small tables, there is a "mentor mom" who has grown children, and then a table leader.  Two other girls at my table also graduated from Olivet.  So cool.  (I didn't know them they were a little ahead of me at Olivet but still) Two other ladies had just recently relocated to the area from other states also.  I feel like the Lord just totally picked me up and plucked me right down into that group.  I am so thankful.  A sweet woman, Ellen, was the one who really got me involved and I am so thankful for her.  I'm thankful for those who see a need.  I spoke with her our first Sunday at the church, and she took my info and got me registered and all that good stuff.  Then she found me today to talk to me and introduce me to the women's ministry director at the church.  How grateful I am for welcoming and inviting people.  :)  

That's about it for today.  Little man is napping..which means I shall be also.  I take any sleep I can get right now.  Two kiddos soon enough.  Yay!  

Hope you have a great week!

Looking up.

Things are looking up. :)

Had my first appointment with our new OB today.  It went well.  The nurse said that she actually goes to this doctor herself, and she also said he's super laid back and very gentle.  I was so glad to hear that...when you pick doctors off internet reviews..it's kinda a shot in a the dark.  We went 2/2 on doctors here so far.  Both the endocrinologist and our OB seem really nice.  I'm really glad.  It's weird..when they don't know you, ya know? They don't know I'm a nurse, or that they can trust my history- and it's not something I just throw out there when I meet someone ...like "hey I'm a nurse." But then they ask your occupation, and I tell them I'm a nurse, and then I feel silly that I didn't tell them from the beginning.  Silly little dilemmas.

We went to a new church this week and really liked it.  That was a HUGE answer to prayer.  We won't be able to go back the next two weeks because we'll be out of town, but are really excited to go back again.  It was so encouraging.  They have a mom's program during the week that I am on the waiting list for and hope to hear that I've gotten into soon.

We found a couple of really nice parks, and the weather has been AMAZING so that is awesome.

Our neighbors are really sweet.  They're all retired, but super kind and always talk to us when we're out.  There is a young couple who lives in the building next to ours, they have a child too.  I may stalk them into being our friends.  We'll see how that works out.  Hahaha.  I'm not ashamed.

One thing I'm especially thankful for.  Texting and phones.  :)  It's amazing the ability to call and ask, or shoot a text, to friends for prayer or just to update on life. Or for sweet photos of little ones that we miss.  I LOVE it!

We go on VACATION this week!  A Disney cruise with Brad's parents.  We are PUMPED!!  We also get to meet our precious new niece..I can't wait to get my hands on her and love on that little girl!!  How we adore our nieces!! Noah is super excited to see his cousins too!  I'm excited to see how Noah does with a little baby.

That's about it for now...but I am thankful!  It's been a great week! Hope for you too!

Guess what...

So this little family of three is soon to be a family of FOUR! 

We are SO excited!  

I know I've sounded a little sad in the previous posts...but our joy over this little bundle is unexplainable!!  

We're due around March 14, 2013 and cannot wait for our little man to be a big brother!  That boy loves himself a baby..so I just can't wait to see him love on his precious little baby brother/sister.  

We are so thankful and excited for this new development in our life!  (Moving across the country wasn't enough of a change...we're throwing in a baby to go with it!) 

Yay!!  Have a great week!

The days can be long.

So since moving..and realizing we don't know many people here, the days seem to be a little longer. 

It's not that bad, because sweet Brad gets home much earlier from work now, so we have lots of time together as a family at night, but I find I'm having trouble filling the days for Noah and me.  

See since we relocated...Noah has taken to waking up at 6:15.  He hasn't done this in so long.  And with me not sleeping...it's been a little challenging.  6:15.  I know that's not really that early..Brad is long gone for work at that point, when I'm working I've already been at work for 45 minutes by that point...but I'm not sleeping.  So when you finally fall asleep around 2am...and then get back up at 6:15...it's a little challenging.

Although there is NOTHING better than sweet little man's smile when he wakes up.  He's into hugging now..so if I say "big squeeze" when I pick him up out of the crib I am rewarded with a huge hug.  MAKES MY DAY. Love that sweet boy.  

Last week we ventured out to a park...I was hoping I would maybe stumble upon a play group, but no luck so far.  I have no doubt though we are going to find some great friends here...but man are we missing those Austin friends of ours.  I am realizing more and more that one of the reasons being a stay at home mom was such an easy transition for me in Austin was because I had simply beautiful friends that also were staying home with their kiddos.  Noah and I spent many of our days, at least part of them, with these friends and their kiddos and we adored it! So we are craving some time with other women and children.  

Anyways while we were at the park, all the kiddos talked to me...but not so many of the mama's. One kiddo actually pushed Noah down and kicked him.  Then looked at me and started kicking him harder before I got over there.  WHOA mama bear just about came out.  Noah was just fine and I know these things happen, but it wasn't an encouraging start to our first park trip.  

So this week has been a little tough emotionally.  But I have hope! 

Because:

  I am LOVING all the family time we are having.  Brad has been home while I've been cooking dinner almost every day..rather than me having to time it so it's warm when he gets here...that is such a relief of pressure.

We took a walk last night with Noah in his wagon.  Adorable.  He loved it!  I told Brad I really want to take advantage of taking walks together most nights since the winter will take these away soon enough.  

We're going to try out a new church on Sunday again, really praying we find one quickly to dive into. 

Brad LOVES his job-which totally reassures me everyday in this decision.  

We have had lots of time with our extended family since moving here..and know there is more to come...we still haven't seen some of Brad's family that lives in Indiana so we're excited to get to see them! 

I get to see one of my dearest college friends Debbie on Friday.  I love EVERY time we get to spend together, and she lives not too far from here.  Which is fabulous, by the way. 

We have many awesome friends that still live in Indiana or Chicagoland area and we're going to get to see them SO much more often...and I LOVE that! 

I slept last night.  I actually fell asleep while trying to order 101 free pictures from shutterfly- the coupon of course expired at midnight and I slept right through it...but I don't care! I slept.  Maybe sleep will soon become my friend again.  

Brad is awesome and so encouraging, and does not at all get upset with me when I talk of missing our friends back in Austin, or our church (such as when I cried through service this week here hahaha), or my job (which seriously ruined me for any future job)...he just supports me and encourages me.  How blessed I am to have that man as my husband.  

Our home is a home.  And we are loving relaxing in it.  And Noah seems to totally dig it and not get so claustrophobic during the day.  

And most importantly I have hope because I know my God.  I know that when He leads us, He goes before us.  I know that while this time of transition is a little lonely, he has so very graciously allowed us to have time with people who are precious to us already since being here..and we have been so grateful. And he is So GOOD.  So I know that we are going to LOVE it here.  And that is exciting to me.  

That's it for today...kinda a downer of a post.  But I find it a bit therapeutic to write it out.  :) Have a great week!

Insomnia.

So...the hours of 1-5am are QUICKLY becoming my least favorite part of the day.  It's currently 3:36am, and I've been up since about 1:30.  Guess who will be taking a nap during Noah's nap today.  

This girl.  

You would think I would be productive but I watched a useless movie on lifetime movie network (that I've already seen), and now I'm blogging.  (And pinteresting...and finding all sorts of things I want to make/do) 

Any chance Noah will sleep in tomorrow?  HIGHLY unlikely because this mama decided he was ready for bed at 7pm.  (We had a long day of cleaning/organizing- and he had a short nap.  So we decided he could go to bed and we could enjoy relaxing. Sweet boy didn't make a peep he was exhausted...but I'll pay when he's up here in 2-3 hours.)  

But you know what...I am SO excited.  Today my mom and dad came up and helped us put the finishing touches on the condo. I use finishing touches pretty loosely...it had a LONG way to go before they got here.  Around 10am this morning I specifically remember thinking there was no way we would get it all done.  I was so wrong.  By the end of the day we had a loaded storage unit, an organized garage, a newly installed garage door opener, a clean house including hands and knee mopped floors, dusted furniture, vacuumed carpets, and NO boxes.  (To be honest..one box left of miscellaneous things that will have a home once I get Noah's closet reorganized..but who's counting.) I seriously can't tell you how amazing it felt tonight to sit down in a home that was livable.  

The last month has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster.  Really longer that that, but especially the last month as we were living in chaos in Austin preparing for the move, while saying goodbye to those we love, and then moving here and being apart for a week at a time -twice. 

But tomorrow...I just get to be a wife and a mom.  I don't have to clean or organize.  I have normal daily things to do, and that's it.  I get to just be with Noah, and spend time with Brad.  It means so much to me.  So I am so thankful tonight, even though I can't sleep.  (Maybe that's why- because I'm so crazy (and I mean that literally) excited about the house.) 

I use parenthesis a lot.  

Here are some pictures of the new place.  We are loving it here so far.  It's very clean, and feels very safe, and the neighborhood is SO quiet.  The apartment in Austin most definitely was not quiet...so we are LOVING this.  

Our stairwell entry.

Our bedroom from our bathroom/closet area with my little helper posing for a picture.  I told him to say cheese...he stood so still but refused to crack a smile.  Silly boy. 

Kitchen.  

 Noah's room.  We decided not to set up a guest bed in this one due to space..but visitors you come right ahead.  You can have our bed or an air mattress. We don't care which we just want you to be here and be comfortable! :) 

I'm pretty excited because Brad is going to fix Noah's dresser now that we're moved.  We love that dresser so even if it doesn't fix I'll just remove the doors.  It will be eclectic. :) 

Our living/play area from the stairwell.  We have 400 more sf in this than the apartment in Austin, so it feels much less crowded.

It's a condo, a second floor condo but our stairs are private.  It feels pretty homey so far.  We'll be very thankful to find a home next spring, but we're very excited for where we are right now.  I'm learning to be content and present where I'm at..instead of always looking for a house.  It only stresses me out, and we've been so blessed.  So here are pictures! :)  The quality is not great as they are from my phone, but the boys are both sleeping away blissfully unaware of this girl's inability to sleep and I don't think they would enjoy their pics being taken right now.  

Have a great week!! 

18 Months.

So Noah turned 18 months old last week during the move.

18 months.  Goodness gracious.  

I can honestly say that while this age is the most challenging thus far, it is by far my favorite.  He is a BLAST.  Cracks us up every day.  (Don't get me wrong...we definitely have our fair share of trying times too..but man he's funny)

I feel like over the last month, even just the last week or so he's really taken off on development.  Here's what he's doing now at 18 months. 

Runs...ALL THE TIME.  We here his little feet pat pat patting away as he runs all over.  Especially this week as he has been at Mom and Dad's and they have more space than we do.

Words: Mama, Dada, Mommy, Pop (Poppy), Papa, Nini for Nana, MiMi, Go-Go, Ball-Ball, No (we do not like this!), Noah, This, Wa-Wa (Water), Ooshs (shoes), Up Peas (Up please)

Points to his ears, hair, mouth, nose, toes, feet, belly button.  Can't get the eyes down..always points to his ears haha

Recently has started to try to tickle people's feet..cracks me up.  He especially does this to Nana and Papa-even when they're wearing shoes.  

He loves to stand on the couch and fall face first without trying to catch himself.  Today he was doing this on the ottoman.  He'll count (Ah-Da-DAH -which is his 1, 2, 3) and then fall.  Hilarious.  I never realized that I'll count to three when we're playing until he started doing it.  Pretty funny because I don't even count to three when I'm disciplining him.  

He loves to "drive" anything and everything.  This week he's driven all of pop's lawnmowers, and his tractor, and his truck, and Papa's van.  He just runs from one to the other.

He has quite the appetite.  He'll eat almost anything. Sometimes when he's done eating, and I haven't caught the drift he'll just open his mouth and let it fall out.  That's a great experience. 

Says NO.  A lot.  We're working on it.

He had to say goodbye to his best friends this month.  Watching them play and hug each other for the last time was precious to me.  

He signs for more, please, thank you, and occasionally help.  He also will sign for Jesus when we sing Jesus loves me- um best thing ever.

When we pray before meals, if I am kneeling down praying with him, and his food is in front of me, he will try to put food in my mouth.  Hahaha.  Hilarious. 

Still loves to throw balls around.  We think he'll be left handed.  He really seems to favor that side.

When he runs he punches his left arm.  So funny.  I need to get it on video.

LOVES to be outside.  Since we've been at my parents he runs to the door every morning first thing and tries to open it to go outside. 

He has quite the voice.  He loves to yell.  Not in anger really (but sometimes) but often just to yell.  

He loves to giggle.  

Lots of kisses and hugs, and recently has become super affectionate with Mama. Makes my year.

That's probably it for now.  This little one brings us so much joy, and teaches us so much at the same time.  We are learning every day it feels like and I hope that he is too. 

Hope you have a great week!

The Joy.

Reading that last post, I sounded so depressing.  I forgot to tell you about the joy.  There's lots of it. 

For example:

We are going to live close to Chicago- we have so many memories of dating in Chicago so I'm super excited to make new memories as a family.

We have family all over the place up there.  That's awesome!

We have so many friends still in Indiana/Illinois.  I am SO VERY excited to spend time with them! 

Fall weather...remember how I love me some fall weather and colors.  SOOOO excited about that. 

SNOW! YAY! (I'm sure my opinion on this might change.)

It's kinda like an exciting adventure. You have no idea what's waiting. I felt that way when we moved here and it was one of the best decisions we've ever made.  It will be exciting to do it again.  

I'm sure there's more...but I just wanted to say we are excited.  It's hard not to get caught up in the sadness and forget the joy...but there is so much.  We'll talk again soon.  Don't know when blogging will happen in the next couple of weeks as we have LOTS to do.  Have a great week!

So..we're moving.

I've been dreading writing this blog..because I'm a big ball of emotional craziness.  We are moving.  Not to Taylor, Tx as we planned...but to Chicagoland area! Every time I say it or type it out it seems a little more real and a little more crazy.  Good crazy.  But still hard to grasp in this brain of mine. 

(p.s. even now I have a few tears.) 

So let's talk about how this happened.  You might remember that about a year ago we sold our house, with the full intention of moving to Taylor to do life with some peeps that we love oh so dearly. For the last year we have looked at houses in Taylor (for real, I have the Taylor real estate market memorized)  and despite all our efforts, haven't been able to agree on a house. About the time March came around, we settled that no matter what, when June came we wanted to have a decision, and we were leaving this apartment.  (so we thought)

Over the last few months a possibility for a job for Brad up in the midwest showed up on our radar, and we began to pray over that.  While we really struggled with the idea of leaving here, we both felt strangely led towards this job.  We prayed over it, and decided to really be open to whatever might come of it. 

Fast forward to the last month, Brad interviewed, and we prayed, and the deeper he got into the process the more and more we felt like this is exactly what we're supposed to be doing.  How the timing worked out has just been amazing too, and the peace the Lord has given us over Brad leaving his current job has been something we just can't question.  Greg, Brad's current boss was so very gracious, and we are so so thankful for how wonderful he has been to our family the last three years.  So leaving on good terms was extremely important to us.  

So, an offer came, Brad accepted, and he starts his new job on August 13th.  The job is one he is really excited about, and he will be working with a close family friend.  We're so thankful for the opportunity.  It seems very final, probably because it is, and if we (read: if I) think about it too much I get pretty emotional.  Please don't get me wrong...I am so very excited for Brad and this new job, I'm so excited that we'll be close to family, and I'm excited that after praying this over as a family and feeling such a strong sense of peace we can completely trust that the Lord is going to protect us in this.  I can also look at where we were five years ago when we decided to move across the country and how fearful I was about that...and I look at where we are now and I know that Jesus has been with us all the way.  He will be with us in this.  So I am joyful.  My heart just hurts..because we are leaving friends who have loved us so well, and who we cherish so deeply.  We're also leaving a church that we adore, and have grown exponentially while attending.  And I am leaving my dream job.  (I'm not kidding about that- I know I only work one day a week, but I love it.) 

So here we go.  We're not really very sure where we'll be living exactly.  The job is in Illinois, we'll live somewhere close to the IN/IL border..no decisions on where yet. Hopefully we'll nail that down by the end of this week.  No idea where I'll be working, I'm applying in both Illinois and Indiana for licenses and jobs. We'll figure that out  soon enough. Here's a song and verse or two that have been keeping my heart peaceful over the last few weeks.  

Standing on this mountain top

Looking just how far we've come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much you've done

Knowing every victory 

Is your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts will say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did you leave us on our own

You are faithful, God you are faithful

You are faithful, God you are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts will say 

Never once did we ever walk alone

Carried by your constant grace

Held within your perfect peace

Never once, no we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did you leave us on our own

You are faithful, God you are faithful

You are faithful, God you are faithful

Every step we are breathing in your grace

Every step we are breathing out your praise

You are faithful, God, you are faithful

You are faithful, God, you are faithful

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.