signed.sealed.delivered

(Miya showing off her "new housh" as she likes to say :)

We are officially homeowners! It feels pretty surreal, settlement went as smooth as can be (even after being totally sleep deprived after getting called into work at 2am...gotta love being on call the night before closing :))

I feel a little overwhelmed with the amount of work to be done this week with painting, packing, and moving...but as Lew says: one day at a time.

God has been so faithful! Can't wait to move in this week!

Themes.

I am such a "themes" person. The wheels have been turning as I have been trying to think of what theme Miya's new room should be, and how I want to incorporate her nursery theme which was an aviary theme with birds and owls. So... I decided we are going to do a Nature theme, so we can still have our birds and owls but I also want to have other forms of nature/creation in there as well.

I have many ideas on diy stuff I'd like to do...but that will have to wait until we finish packing and moving. But today I made this picture for Miya's room:















I just need to find a square frame for it, I can't wait to hang it! I am planning to gather most of my inspiration from this etsy shop All I used to make this was some cardstock and decorative paper I had on hand and it took about 20 minutes!

Sooo many cute ideas! And the cutest thing about this song is we have been singing it to her since she was born. Definitely a favorite...and now she loves "shunshine" and every morning insists I open up her blinds first thing and sing the "shunshine" song :)

Talk talk talk.

That is what Miya does these days. She talks and talks and talks some more. We call her a parrot because she literally repeats us on most things. Here is a few of my recent favorites:

Indy-nana: Her word for where Nana lives "Indiana". This one makes me smile :)

Appa-shauce: Apple sauce. The girl loves it

Yo-gabgabblagaba: yo gabba gabba, her favorite show. She thinks daddy is DJ lance. She really does.

Ha-ya-yu-ya: Hallelujah

HOTDOG: she says it crystal clear now. And she wants them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.

Outside-bug: Why she says this every time we talk about outside I will never know. But whenever we talk about going outside she yells "outside bug" over and over

Fru-fruit: Grapefruit. One of her favorite fruits. But we have learned to limit her after we discovered what too many can do to her GI tract. Not fun.

Dant-do: thank you. Love when she says this.

No-dant-do: when she doesn't want something she says this.

Yes-peas: Yes please. Love to hear this one too!

Poopoo potty! Hear this one A LOT. Sometimes it's genuine...other times we just spend a 1/2 hour in the bathroom with no success.


But on that note....
Potty update: She is going in the potty regularly, we have good days in bad but she is definitely telling us when she needs to go, and there have been times she has held in when we are in the car etc.. It's definitely time consuming....but I have to say she is essentially training herself. She is definitely at the point where she hates going in her diaper, and she loves to get a treat. So it's a win-win. It will be interesting to see if this continues once we move, but we'll see!

She is definitely growing up! Hard to believe she is only about 4 months away from turning 2.

Forget not.

Yesterday we drove back from visiting Lew's family in Indiana and came home to an email that said our final approval came through on our loan for the house. I am absolutely blown away by how smooth this process has been. God has provided for EVERY. SINGLE. STEP of the way. Literally. And I am truly in awe. In awe of how God has provided grace over this past year of being without a "home" of our own. The blessing my parents have been to share their home with us and our busy/noisy toddler (grin) and the blessing family and friends have been to encourage us and pray for us. And here we are, exactly a week away from our settlement date, and I am just so thankful.

It was perfectly fitting that I read this in Deuteronomy 6 this morning:

“And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
(Deuteronomy 6:10-12 ESV)

That is my prayer. "Lord don't let me forget that all of this is from YOUR hand. This is YOUR provision, a house that you built, and you will fill. Please don't let me forget your faithfulness and provision." God has surly been good, even in the waiting.

.Unchanged.

This past 2 weeks has been crazy to say the least. Exactly 2 weeks ago Lew and I were in a very different situation. We are still living with my parents, and at the time had little faith to buy a home as Lew still hasn't found a new job, and we weren't sure if we should commit to buying something without knowing where he would be working. But two weeks ago I really begin to think and wonder....do we trust God for a home? Do we trust that God can provide a place for us, in a way that we couldn't have seen coming. Do we believe God is wiser than us?

At this point we are coming up on a year living with my parents. It has been year full of challenges as we aggressively pay off debt and mesh 6 adults and one toddler into one home. There have been many sweet times, but of course there are challenges too. Lew has been looking for a new job now on and off for 2 years. So, 2 weeks ago as I began to ask the above questions I also raised them to Lew. I think we can easily be more focused on what we don't have, and less aware of what God has already provided. It all the sudden hit us that we were missing the huge provision that God has already given us in Lew's current job. This has been a steady job and a secure job for our family, an answer to prayers almost 4 years ago. The company is doing well and this job has allowed a lot of flexibility for our family. It may not be exactly what Lew is looking for, but it's a job, and a gift. Not only that but God graciously provided a job for me, where I can work very little and still be a big means of support for our family, which has allowed me to keep my primary "job" in the home. Another huge means of provision from the Lord. Long story short 2 weeks ago God planted seeds of faith in our hearts, that we are to step forward, taking big leaps of faith, and trust Him for something big.

So we prayed, and we lept. That same day I contacted our broker and realtor again and asked them if we could meet to discuss possible options for us. We met with the realtor that week who informed us that we need to be ready for the "long haul" not exactly what we wanted to hear. He said basically with our budget we probably could only find a short sale or foreclosure and that could mean months and months of waiting, and potentially disappointment. Not only that but he said be prepared for a home that could also need a lot of work. Not exactly what we wanted to hear. But we prayed and still had faith to move forward. Fast forward a week later, our realtor calls and says "I found something I think you guys will really love, I think we need to look at it tonight!" We scramble and along with Miya go look at this home. It's not only move in ready, but in the neighborhood we wanted, and the model we were hoping for. That night Lew and I look at our budget again...pray...and leap again. The next night we sign an offer. The next day we are under contract. Yes, all that in 2 weeks.

It's unbelievable to see how God called us to leap in faith, and then literally at record speed he drops something into our laps that we didn't even imagine receiving, or know to ask for. Of course at any point God could take this away, we are awaiting an inspection and appraisal, but we are trusting God will work good regardless of the outcome. We are just praying that He will continue to give us clarity and direction as he has thus far. Our proposed settlement date is December 7th, and we probably won't move in ourselves until after Christmas.

My title is probably confusing now as you hear me describe all these big changes in our lives right now. The bottom line that we are seeing in all this is God's unchanging nature. In the midst of all these twists and turns in our story, God has remained steady. This portion from Morning and Evening pretty much sums it up for me:

“I am the Lord, I change not."

Malachi 3:6

It is well for us that, amidst all the variableness of life, there is One whom change cannot affect; One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow mutability can make no furrows. All things else have changed—all things are changing. The sun itself grows dim with age; the world is waxing old; the folding up of the worn-out vesture has commenced; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they shall perish, they shall wax old as doth a garment; but there is One who only hath immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change. The delight which the mariner feels, when, after having been tossed about for many a day, he steps again upon the solid shore, is the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth—“I am the Lord, I change not.”

The stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a hold-fast, is like that which the Christian’s hope affords him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Whatever his attributes were of old, they are now; his power, his wisdom, his justice, his truth, are alike unchanged. He has ever been the refuge of his people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and he is their sure Helper still. He is unchanged in his love. He has loved his people with “an everlasting love”; he loves them now as much as ever he did, and when all earthly things shall have melted in the last conflagration, his love will still wear the dew of its youth. Precious is the assurance that he changes not! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.

“Death and change are busy ever, Man decays, and ages move; But his mercy waneth never; God is wisdom, God is love.”

Potty update 2

**Warning! For those not interested in a potty update, you may not want to read ahead. This post contains words like poo poo and poopy more than once. :) **

So, for those who are just dying to know how our "potty" venture is going ;) For the record we haven't officially started potty training yet, but because Miya seems to go number 2 at the same time every day I thought why not just put her on the potty and see what happens. I had tried that around 15 months and she definitely didn't seem ready.

We have the little seat you sit on the top of the regular toilet. I thought I'd give it another shot yesterday. Much to our surprise she actually went! She has also been telling me "poo poo" before she goes which definitely helps.

This morning I tried again after breakfast (which seems to be "the time") and after a minute or 2 she started to say "all done! down down!" but she hadn't gone yet. I kept trying to distract her with books and then finally I remembered yesterday she had only wanted her "peek-a-boo" book. So I quickly ran to get it, and as soon as I gave it to her she went. I told Lew it looks like we will have to keep this one near the potty as her reading material :) Amazing how much of a creature of habit she is.

Then when she was done I got her down and stood her up and soon after noticed a puddle at her feet, looks I need to keep her on for another minute or 2. But I told Lew I will gladly clean up pee pee off of the floor over changing a poopy diaper :)

Not sure if we will really begin to more aggressively potty train yet, but for now I am enjoying one less poopy diaper change a day. We'll see if she continues to seem interested.

Still can't get over how big she is getting. Kind of bitter sweet for sure.

.Wait.

I feel like we are currently in the "school" of waiting. Waiting for a new job for Lew, waiting to figure out where we are going to live...eventually :)...waiting to decide if we should buy or rent a home...waiting on more children...

I think we are always "waiting" for something. But certain seasons the waiting seems more daunting and wearisome. But in each season I am SO aware of how God's grace carries me through the waiting and how much I am learning in the process. It's so easy to be looking forward to the outcome...the thing we are waiting for. But really it's the process that bears the sweetest fruit. These 2 things encouraged me so much this morning as we continue to wait:

Wait on the Lord. -Psalm 27:14

It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures which a Christian soldier learns not without years of teaching. Marching and quick-marching are much easier to God's warriors than standing still. There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desirous to serve the Lord, knows not what part to take. Then what shall it do? Vex itself by despair? Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption? No, but simply wait. Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God, and spread the case before Him; tell Him your difficulty, and plead His promise of aid. In dilemmas between one duty and another, it is sweet to be humble as a child, and wait with simplicity of soul upon the Lord. It is sure to be well with us when we feel and know our own folly, and are heartily willing to be guided by the will of God. But wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in Him; for unfaithful, untrusting waiting, is but an insult to the Lord. Believe that if He keep you tarrying even till midnight, yet He will come at the right time; the vision shall come and shall not tarry. Wait in quiet patience, not rebelling because you are under the affliction, but blessing your God for it. Never murmur against the second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses; never wish you could go back to the world again, but accept the case as it is, and put it as it stands, simply and with your whole heart, without any self-will, into the hand of your covenant God, saying, "Now, Lord, not my will, but Thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities, but I will wait until Thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back my foes. I will wait, if Thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon Thee alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for Thee in the full conviction that Thou wilt yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower."


And one more from a friends blog

“…waiting is living through those moments when you do not understand what God is doing and you have no power to change your circumstances for the better…So much of our daily comfort comes from the fact that we are able to make sense of our circumstances… Waiting is hard for us because we tie our hearts to other glories. We so often live for the glory of human acceptance, of personal achievement, of power and position, of possessions and places, and of comfort and pleasure. So when God’s glory requires that these things be withheld from us – things we look to for identity, meaning, and purpose – we find waiting a grueling, burdensome experience. Waiting means surrendering your glory. Waiting means submitting to His glory. Waiting means understanding that you were given life and breath for the glory of another. Waiting gives you opportunity to forsake the delusion of you own glory and rest in the God of awesome glory. Only when you do that will you find what you seek, and what you were meant to have: lasting identity, meaning and purpose, and peace in Christ…”

Big first...

Well folks...today is a momentous occasion! Yes it is the day of my birth, but not only that! Miya at 17 months did her first "number 2" on the potty. We cheered and celebrated and she just looked at us like we were crazy. Not sure she gets why we were so excited, but it's a start!

Our little girl is growing up :)

Ministry of Motherhood

My prayer as a Mommy...

"Choosing to be a servant-mother means willingly giving up myself, my expectations, and my time to the task of mothering; and choosing to believe that doing so is the best use of my time at the moment. It means that, by faith, I have already made a decision to make myself available in the routine tasks and myriad of interruptions of my daily life because I believe it is God's will for me to serve my family through them."

Sally Clarkson
The Ministry of Motherhood

Growing...

{some pictures from our recent beach trip}

Life is busy (what's new!) but Miya is growing and changing at such a rapid rate, I can't help but pause and make a few notes. I realize how quickly I forget to notice all the fun little things our girly is learning. She is almost 17months old and I can't help but ask the cliche question "where did the time go!?"

A few fun "miya-isms"

Shishy (still her fav snack)
Moooooowa (looooong O with a very high pitch squeak and a slightly British twang) = more
Hi Momma, hi! She likes to start with hi and end with hi (same for bye bye)
Awww bebe: I must say this and not realize it, but she says with little babies and dogs alike :)
I-lu-youuuuu: She points to her eyes, then her heart, then at the other person (usually the dogs!)
ah-dun= all done. She def tells us when she doesn't like something or when she has had enough
no no no noooooo: usually she says it to herself after she has done something naughty
hoisy (usually followed by a nay nay): horses seem to be one of her favorite animals currently
Roooooar: most animals if you ask what sound they make she will reply with a roar. Close enough I suppose :)
Shea=hair. She has a fascination for those teeny curls on her head
Owe-side=outside (your fav place to be)
Shoose=shoes (still your fav accessory)
Mwah!= her sound for kisses


Other fun things

You wave with the cutest little floppy wrist ever.

You love to say hi and bye bye to inanimate objects, and you do so with such enthusiasm (this includes saying bye bye to your crib when you wake up in the morning or from naps)

You love to hug and kiss all babies and all children for that matter. Have had a few awkward moments in public when you run up to kids you don't know and try to kiss them...on the lips!

You still amaze me with your sleep habits, sometimes 13 hours at night and then a 2-4 hour nap during the day. I am now convinced no sibling of yours will ever be able to spoil us as you have.

You love people and love being out and about where you can people watch. you love to wave to random strangers and get their attention, but when they try to approach you all the sudden you are overcome with shyness :)

You continue with your growling to sleep and when waking up. We know you are getting sleepy when you start growling, and know your waking up the same way.

You like to "hug" by bowing your head and nestling up to someone (or something) :) You usually also include a few "awww bebe" or "awwww papa" with your hugs. It melts my heart.

You have become very fascinated with "baybees" and tend to think any child your size or smaller is a baby...even though they almost always are older than you!
A family update
Things are going well. We are still living with my parents and overwhelmed with thankfulness to them for bearing with us and allowing us to really tackle debt and savings. We still aren't clear on what the best next step is (renting -vs- buying) but trusting God has a good plan. Lew continues to look for work and I am currently working nights at Shady Grove Hospital and loving it. God has continued to provide in amazing ways and we are truly blown away. More than anything I have learned to enjoy the simple things. Yes, I miss having my "own" home, and I miss all the joys that come with that, but I have learned that home is what you make it. It's more than a physical space to call "yours". It's been such a joy living with my parents, that's 4 generations under one roof! Miya loves getting to see her grand grandma, aunt "roo roo", Meema, and pop pop on a daily basis. And honestly I think it's going to be hard to transition once we move out because she is so used to being surrounded by family. But for now we are enjoying where God has us, seeking to enjoy His many gifts and not be anxious about where we will be 6months to a year from now. God has always been faithful!

words.

Miya is saying a lot of fun stuff right now. Just want to remember them...


Bop Pop = pop pop
Shhhhoe (extra emphasis on the shhhh)
Doe = dog
dock = duck
Oushie = ouchie
dack dack = quauck quack
didda = Auntie rissa
chichen = chicken
mowa = more
aaah-boo = peek-a-boo (the cutest part is she covers and uncovers her ears instead of her eyes :)
uh-oh
aahble = apple
nah-nah = night night
nammy = lamby (her favorite night time snuggle friend)
nus = nose
luh-you = pretty sure this one is love you :)
baw = ball

Walking?

I have been asked a lot lately if Miya is walking, and my answer has been "sorta". She never seems to just "jump right in" when it comes to new stuff. Especially new stuff that requires work. Even when it came to crawling she went from "scooching" to army crawling, and finally full crawling around 10 months. I think she likes to ease into transition. So, when it comes to walking, she seems to be following that same trend. Around 10 months she started happily cruising. Then 11 months happily cruising one handed. Then 11 1/2 months walking with her little fun walker. Then 12 months happily walking around holding mom or dad's hands. Now at 13 months she is happily walking still hanging on to Mom and Dad's one finger. Yes you read that right. She will walk and walk and walk, but the one catch is she insists on hanging on to just one finger :) It's her last crutch. If we try to pry our finger away she will just crumble. It's pretty hilarious because she has all the mechanics down, but she is erring on the side of caution for now. She did get brave enough to take a few steps on her own, which resulted in a nose dive, resulting in her first big boo-boo. So for now, caution is fine with me!

Here are a few videos of her in action. I call this first one "I don't wanna!" She doesn't like to be told what to do :)





Here is another short one without her crying at the same time:







a few more for fun (one is her dancing)

Let Me Hold You Longer

Lew got me this book for Mother's Day called "Let Me Hold You Longer' by Karen Kingsbury. What a gem. I can't read it without getting emotional.

Here are a few little excerpts:

"Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time I held a bottle
to your baby lips.
The last time I lifted you
and held you on my hip

The last time when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When you last crawled up with your blanket,
wanting to be rocked.

The last time you ran to me ,
still small enough to hold....
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past--
Would I have held you longer if
I'd known they were your last?...

the last page says:
Let me hold on longer Lord to every precious last!


Trying to enjoy every moment with this little sweety.












Because she has gone SO fast from this to this

*ONE*

I'm not going to do what I always do...what is that you may ask? I am not going to start this blog post apologizing along with saying "what a bad blogger I have become!" and I am not going to make any vain promises to be faithful to blog more often. As I have proven time and time again....that may not happen :) Life is full, full to the brim.

I actually have missed blogging, it's just that usually when I sit down to start typing, my brain conks out, and there are just no words left to describe this life of ours...at least no interesting ones! In all honesty I am sorry I don't blog more often, I enjoy looking back on what life has looked like in the past, but for now my memories will have to do!

Either way, as you can tell from the title, our baby is ONE! Yesterday was the big day and I can't believe it's true. I remember a friend (actually several) saying "don't blink, one year will be here before you know it!" and that has become a reality. In a blink my baby went from newborn to little girl. The transformation is astounding. I look at her today and no longer see the wrinkly, tiny, squeaky baby girl we brought home a year ago. Today I see a little girl gaining independence. I see her long curls around her ears where there used to be soft wisps of hair. I see chubby little thighs (that started off as little twigs!) that carry her little body as she attempts to take steps. And I see a little girl who has become determined on mastering the skill of getting her own way (nothing new there).

What a delight it is to see her grow and discover the world. Truly, I believe, one of God's greatest gifts. With her life is very full, but full in the best possible way. I have had to remind myself (often) as I am chasing her while she is getting into things she shouldn't be, or when she is crying for "momma momma" because she doesn't want to take a nap that these are GIFTS; and I am keenly aware of how blessed I am to have the pleasure of chasing my curious girl around, and hearing her utter the sweetest words "momma". I have seen others Mom's walk through unimaginable grief and sorrow ... and have learned to never take for granted the everyday gift of holding your little one close and watching them grow.

So Miya is one! It's been an amazing journey. She keeps us busy these days, now getting into everything. She also is all about copying us these days, whether it's facial expressions, or phrases, she likes to try to repeat. It's so cute to see her mimic us, but it also makes us very aware of what we say and how we say it!

We are having a party on Saturday to celebrate her first year! I can't wait. And to make it even better Nana, Grandpop Lewis, and Auntie Cherai are coming! I will post pictures after the party.

Giveaway

I found out about this great Store called Downeast Basics from my sister-in-law Rachel and I love it! They have tons of cute modest clothing for woman at great prices. There is a blog doing a giveaway right now so check it out at Second Time Around:

Second Time Around

:Settling:

The Holidays are over and things are finally settling down. We had a great visit in Indiana with the Lewis family for Christmas! We drove there, and the drive was so much better than I anticipated. Miya slept most of the way both ways and we really didn't have to stop too often. That was a HUGE answer to prayer. You can see pictures from our trip Here.

Miya is growing in leaps and bounds. On the 29th she turned 9 months, and I still can't get over how close we are getting to one year. When we got back from Indiana we had about 3 days to pack up our apartment and move out. It was a very challenging couple days because Miya was a little out of sorts from teething and all the changes. But thanks to my parents and family we were able to get everything together and finally are getting settled at our parents. Right now we don't know how long we are going to be here. We are praying about what the next year might look like, but for right now the goal is to save and get out of as much debt as we can. Lew is looking for another job currently and we are praying for clarity on that as well. I also may be returning to work in the hospital part time, but I will find out more about that next week.

New things in Miya world:
Food: I can't believe how this girl eats. I seriously have never seen such a thing in my life. She sits down to eat and it's like she is eating a rare delicacy. It could be anything from banana to plain cheese, or fish, or just plain old wheat bread (which she happens to adore) this girl eats and eats and eats. And not only does she eat, but she makes the most hilarious noises I have ever heard. This video is about a month old, she has gotten louder, but this is just a glimpse into how she eats these days.



Other fun stuff: She is still doing her army crawl. She scoots all around to get what she wants. She seems to show no interest in crawling on all 4's, although she does get up and rock on all fours. She is very interested in pulling up and standing. She likes to hold onto things and tries to take steps. Mommy isn't quite as fearless as she is, a few times she has decided just to let her self go just to see how quick I am. Thankfully I have caught her, but talk about giving Mommy a heart attack! It's so fun watching her grow. She also loves my parents dogs. Every time she sees them she starts yelling "doodie" that happens to be her word for dog. Right now she says Momma, Dada, and Doodie. And a few other words that I can't quite comprehend. Physical therapy is going well. We are down to every other week and Miya's neck is straight and the weaker side has strengthened dramatically. Right now our main area of focus is core strength. She gets to do all kinds of baby pilates such as the wheelbarrow walk and the plank. Mommy does them with her :)

Life is sweet. We are very much enjoying watching her grow, and spending time with my family. That's it for now!