Bored

So I'm a little bored with blogging. Is that bad? It kind of feels like a chore now. So.....I think I'll take a break. I know what you're thinking..... a break from once a month? Since that's about all I've managed since Ilsa's been born.

I kind of want to start a food blog. What yummy things I'm cooking and eating. But that'll probably turn into a chore too??

I'm sure I'll get back to this (just like my other 'hobbies'), thanks for reading friends, love you all :)

Some of my favorite things.....

Favorite parts of my day:

Hearing Ilsa giggle in her sleep in the hours before waking up.
Waking up all in the same bed every morning (yes, everyone.....she sleeps in her own bed but I usually bring her in with us when she wakes up at 5 or so).
Playing with my little on all day long.
Snuggle time before naps.
When Kyle walks in after work and kisses me.
Cooking a good meal for my family.
Crawling into the chair with Kyle after Ilsa is in bed and talking and watching stupid tv together.
Sneaking in time for bible study or a good workout.
A long hot shower after working an evening shift. Alone. Quiet. Relax.
Having a call or lunch with a friend. Girl time.
Feeling that I used an opening to talk about God well.

Who am I kidding.......

Sorry that the blog is now 'updates on ilsa' .....but let's face it.....she's our life currently :) I will update on us as well at the end :) Snookie (as I affectionately call her) is very mobile now and in to everything....or on 'cruise control' as Knelly would put it :) Standing holding on to something at every opportunity. She is also crawling "normally" now. We weren't the least bit worried about her worm-style crawl and thought maybe it was a sign of things to come (not giving in to peer pressure, embracing her individuality, etc) but I guess not :) She loves jabbering away, eating paper, crawling all over the house to see what she can get in to, avocados, spinach, and yogurt, waking up at night to check on mommy & daddy, rides in the stroller, going swimming with mommy, going to the park, and when she hears the door open and daddy comes home :) She does NOT love going to nap or bed, oatmeal, falling down, or being confined (to the exersaucer or your lap or whatever). The newest and cutest is that she starts to clap and move to the beat when music is turned on :) I can only hope she will have more rythm and better dancing skills than either Kyle or I :) I'll post a bunch of pics to 'the facebook' (<--as my grandma calls it) today hopefully :)


Our first and now second camping trips were moderately successful. The first in June to Hok si La near Lake City and this past weekend to the North shore near Lutsen. I realized that what I always loved about camping (hiking, sitting by the fire reading for hours, long afternoon naps) is a bit harder now with Ilsa. We had rain on both trips (shocker I know!-- as of yet, we've never been camping without rain)....which is also harder on Ilsa because she get's locked in the tent. But we did enjoy some great outdoor time to enjoy the Creator's work. We did get away from the distraction of everyday life. The hiking pack we bought for Ilsa worked great so we did get out on a few hikes. Hopefully Ilsa loves the lake as much as we do. She even got to dip her toes into the ice cold water and wasn't nearly as wimpy as I was about it :)

Kyle and I have just been keepin on. Family life, work, house projects. I love what a friend wrote on her blog today :

"I am also writing this to remind my self that nothing will ever be perfect. Nothing will ever be “done”. But everything, and everyone, is beautiful."

http://farmovation.com/2011/07/21/little-ones-little-things-amazing-grace/

Love that heart!

In other news......

Kyle and I have decided to return permanently to the church I attended before we were married. We have been feeling pulled back the past few months and finally made a decision. Pray for a smooth transition if you think of it.

You can also send up a prayer for my uncle......he's in his 50's and has a pretty serious heart condition. He's been in and out of the hospital this past year and has had a lot of other life stressors the past 5 years or so. He is set to have a procedure this week I think..... hoping he can get back on the road to rehabilitation and better health. The burden on your life and spirit is immense when things are not right with your body.

Until next time.......stay cool and love the Lord!

Summer

I think it's officially summer when it gets over 100 degrees :) Thus, we're out enjoying it and not sitting in here writing a blog so I'll keep it quick :)

Spent a great weekend at the cabin with Kyles parents and sister/nephew last weekend, weather was fabulous, took a walk, had mimosas, took Ilsa in canoe, ate some fresh caught fish :)

Took Ilsa to the RAC pool one of the hot days this week- was so fun! She just sat in the water with me and squealed and watched the kids-- totally loved it!

Kyle's gotten our "garden" in and has been working outside alot. Getting the basement paneling done too-- the longer we take, the fancier the basement gets :) He is just wonderful-- such craftmanship and skill -- you'd think he was a carpenter.....

Just got off working a long weekend, whew, glad that's over....I miss Kyle and Ilsa too much when I'm at work but I think it's great for them to have bonding time....they are like 2 peas in a pod....when Ilsa hears the door open in the afternoon she get's all excited and starts looking for Kyle to come up the stairs-- she just loves him so much-- so sweet to see :)

We're headed camping this weekend with another family so are looking forward to that-- Ilsa's 1st camping trip-- wish us luck!!

I posted a great quote on facebook tonight " Dance like you've never been tagged, love like you've never been unfriended, and tweet like no one is following."- Will Ferrell :)


Blessings friends!!!!

Chatty Kathy

Hey friends.....
Wow, time is flying, here it's already been a month since I've written :) It's definitely spring here.....warm one day, cold the next, sun, rain, flowers and trees in bloom, mowers starting to be heard (well not at our house, but ya know what I mean) :) I've been patiently waiting many months for summer to come so yay!!! I'm looking forward to many walks and afternoons at the pool with Ilsa :) We've also got a few camping trips planned so that should be fun!

I've still been working through my study of Hebrews 11 and recently have been studying each of the Judges listed....very interesting as I've never spent more than a few minutes at a time reading Judges. One thing I've learned is that we are to GIVE GOD THE GLORY!!! All we have and are are from him and we should proclaim him when he comes through :)

Kyle has been making good progress in the basement. He's recently built a cupboard and run the wires through from the other room (it will hold the cable box, etc). He also got our small garden in :) Work has been busy for him........he had to work with people from China last night so was waiting for them to "wake up" so he could meet with them at like 8-9pm our time :)

Ilsa is quite the inchworm lately and can make it across any room very quickly. She's subsequently has finally mastered rolling back to front : ) She's finally starting to be somewhat more interested in baby food (despite my beautifully pureed, homemade, organic baby food....she's been less than enthused) :) She's very chatty and smily 95% of the time :) I recently posted on facebook: "I somehow convinced Kyle tonight that Ilsa saying 'da da da' meant 'take us out to get ice cream' " :) Anyways, she is just delightful!!! God has truly blessed us with an amazing daughter!!!

I stocked her up on the next year of clothing from garage sales these past few weeks....may need to pick up some basics as we go along but was pleased to find so many nice clothes out there! You know me......how I love getting a bargain :) Actually one of the best bargains I got was not for Ilsa.......I bought these cute curtain panels that match our basement bedroom well for $3 and found a pole somewhere else for $3 (which later ended up being broken, but can be glued)......so I was pleased to find a whole window covering for $6 :)

We also had a nice visit from my dad, sister, and grandma! It was quick but so nice to have them :) We walked in the rain at the farmers market, in the sunshine later that day, went to church, ate alot, and just spent time together :)

Well, we're going to go out and enjoy this amazing day!!!!

Ooofta!

Hello my friends, it's been awhile..........

We celebrated a nice Easter last weekend. We attended my old church, went out to breakfast, and then drove to Kyle's parents to spend the rest of the day and have dinner with some aunts/uncles. Ilsa was able to wear her beautiful new easter dress that Kyle's mom made her (pics to come when I download them :) ).
We've had a pretty busy work week with Kyle working like normal and me working 5 out of 7 days. I'm sooo not cut out for this 5 days a week business anymore.....eye roll, I know! Friday night and Saturday most of the day I attended a conference at a church in town here ....Kay Arthur was the speaker.......I was deeply convicted to get my nose in my bible more.... Quote: "How many books are in the bible? 66. How many does God want us to know? 66. How many do you know?". Ugh. Saturday night we went to a get together with friends in honor of our friend Sou who was in town visiting. Sou was my discipler when I first came to Rochester, my friend for the last 7 years, and sang in our wedding......Ilsa was very fond of her :) We had such a nice time getting out and hanging with some good friends! This morning we went to church, out to breakfast at a new cafe, and then I went to work :( I work tomorrow yet but then have 9 days off. Woo hoo! I plan to spend lots of time snuggling and playing with Ilsa and maybe getting some housework and projects done along the way :)
I'm 80% done making a valance for Ilsa's room....then the nursery will be done! I'd also like to get some soap, lotion, and cards made........we'll see :)
We're starting to talk about and plan our fall vacation. We have 3 weeks off in September (yes, 21 glorious days) and at this point we're planning on driving out to Yellowstone/ Glacier area. We think we'll pass through my parents, my mom's, and then out there and then maybe come back a different way stopping at interesting points. Any recommendations on camping, things to see, places to stay in that area??? I'm afraid of bear attacks after watching an episode of 'I shouldn't be alive' ........ eek.
Ilsa is doing great! She's 7 months old now. She weighed 15.5 pounds at her 6 month visit so is getting big! She's got two bottom front teeth. She can sit up pretty well with only occasional topples. She starting to get up on hands and feet and hands and knees and can somehow get wherever she wants to go. She enjoys her giraffe teether, johnny jump up, exersaucer, and stroller rides....she also really loves watching other people and especially other kids. We took her to the church nursery for the first time today ( I'm happy to report that we all survived) and she loved the activity. We don't have another hip check up until she is one so we won't know much else until then. I just keep praying that the harness worked and she won't need anything else-- I can't bear the thought of ..........blah, not even going to say it.


Godstop:

Easter always makes me joyful :) Christ is risen! Because Christ rose and overcame death.........because he took our sins on himself and died for them, paying the price, clearing our names........we can expect that death will not be the end for us either. For those of us who believe, we will come into the presence of God after we die, our earthly woes over, an eternity to worship him..............I want you there with me my dear ones :) Hell seems like a scary alternative.
I heard on the radio once, that knowing the truth of the gospel and not sharing with people is like having the cure to cancer and not telling anyone.
I love each of you and I can't bear to think that one of you might not go to heaven because I was too afraid to tell you what I know to be true. I never want to push anyone away and I know that everyone has their own reason for not having faith in God. If I can ever help answer any of those questions or guide you in the right direction, you know where to find me.

Here it is friends:
We are all sinful. NOT ONE OF US IS WITHOUT SIN. Because God is perfectly just, he cannot allow sin to go unpunished. The punishment for sin is death. We should all be put to death for our sins. Because God loved us sooooo much, He sent his son Jesus Christ to earth. He lived among us and faced the same trials we do.....but did so without sinning. Jesus supernaturally took all the sins of the world on himself. He was humiliated, tortured, and crucified for us....a bunch of sinners....because he loved us. When he died, the penalty for our past, present, and future sins was paid. Paid in full! When he was on earth, he told us to repent of our sins, follow him....and that he would prepare a place for us in the place where he was going (heaven).

So friends, if you know that you believe what you just read and that you want to have a relationship with the Jesus that died so that you can live an abundant, free life............pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, in Jesus' name I repent of my sins and open my heart to let Jesus come inside of me.
Jesus, You are my Lord and Savior. I believe you died for my sins and you were raised from the dead.
Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Thank You Father for saving me in Jesus' name. Amen.


If you said that prayer for the first time, welcome to the family precious one :) You are a new creation in Christ- congrats!

Don't stop there.....start reading the bible. Get an new american standard version or new international version bible and start with the book of John.
You can go here and they will send you free info on what to do next:
http://www.backtothebible.org/Indexes/index.php?option=com_mosforms&Itemid=180
Or if you feel comfortable you can always come to me with questions :)

Hip- Hip Hooray! It's Spring!!

I don't know about all of you but I feel like a new person :) I just love when winter is over and the promise of months of warmer weather comes :) I love to go walking and feel the sunshine....to go out and see what plants are coming up each day....to open the windows in the warm afternoon :)

We've just been same 'ole here. Working and being a family :) Ilsa is doing well-- very smily, giggly, and busy! She got her first tooth through today (bottom front left) :) She's gone back to getting up 4 times per night (yikes!) so not sure what's going on there. She liked the rice cereal for the first 2-3 days and then decided she didn't anymore.....she would just tighten her lips or blow bubbles with it or just let it dribble out....so we're giving her a few days break and think we'll try some bananas :)

I've been walking the last 3 days and just loving the weather. Our frugal club met last evening and made firestarters for camping! There are two other gals with babies in the club so was fun to get them all together again :)
Kyle took me out for Pho Hoa and Cold Stone tonight so that was nice :) The baby went down easy and I'm headed to bed soon :)

Back amongst the living....

Hi friends......yep, we're all feeling better finally :) I was sick for about a week, and then Ilsa, and then Kyle....bleck! It was so hard to see my little one feeling so poorly......she didn't smile for like 3 days in there..... :( .

We went back to O-town this past weekend to visit the fam and celebrate Grandma's 76th birthday....was great to get back and of course everyone was excited to see Ilsa :)

Kyle has been very busy at work and working in the garage (aka woodworking shop) when time. He's building me a few pieces of furniture, refinishing tables with a friend, and putting finishing touches on basement....I'm so blessed to have such a handy husband :)

I'm so excited that we've survived another winter and have the spring and summer fast approaching. I have some flowers starting to poke up and am anxious to get out in garden as soon as it isn't so muddy. I love to go out every day and see what is new:)

March already...wow!

Well I started the day with a long mall-walk with a friend and two babies :) Before having a baby...never would I have even considered going to the mall to walk. With it being ever difficult to get to the gym now and the weather being quite frigid....this has been a surprisingly nice place to get some exercise. And our mall here has this whole baby friendly area (family bathroom that a stroller can fit into, nursing rooms, changing area, couches/chairs) :) Love it! Yes, I'm a nerd, I know :)

We went to Duluth with another couple and their children this past weekend. We stayed in a resort http://beaconpointecondos.com/ and enjoyed a few days of r & r. My favorite was the board games, desserts, hot tub, and chick flicks. We had a kitchen in our place so was nice to be able to cook and not eat out the entire weekend. Ilsa went for her first swim and seemed to like it ok. Kyle took me out to a nice dinner one evening http://www.nokomisonthelake.com/ . Overall, great to get away and great to spend time together with family and friends.

There's always something.....

Have you noticed that your life (if you're like me ) is full of lists, projects, goals, lifestyle changes......have you also noticed that we add new things to the list just as fast if not faster than we cross them off.

Bank. Groceries. Research and buy this or that. Organize hall closet so nothing falls out and kills me next time I open it. Start reading my bible in the morning instead of before bed. Laundry. Oil change. Make a meal plan for this week. Plan shower for friend. Buy gift for mom. Send card to so and so. Laundry. Groceries. Find friend to check on me daily in case I never clean closet and something actually does fall out and kill me. Get memory bible verses out again and commit to doing one per week. Look into ways to help out church from home. Buy new work shoes. Go to the gym. Find a fitness program that I can stick to. Laundry. Put dishes away. Iron work shirts. Mop. Vaccuum. Start 11 week bible study and ask friend to join me so I am accountable. Try to write down one blessing every day. Buy a new washer and dryer because this one's worn out. Plan trip for next month. Switch weekends with someone at work. I'm sure you get the point and I'm guessing you have an ongoing list of your own ....if you've even read all of these.

It's exhausting isn't it !?! I should have added to the end of the list....write a blog about becoming less focused on the list. I can easily overwhelm myself with all of the things I want/need to do. Lately I've just been trying to get up in the morning and think about what things I would most like to do that day. Some days it is bible study. Some days it is take a walk. Some days it is nothing, just enjoy the baby. Some days it is clean that closet out during naps. I just think of whatever thing would be most satisfying to get done and try to do it. If I get anything additional done...well that's just bonus happiness!

And I remember too.......this is all just "stuff" of life.....our true joy is in walking with the Lord. Doing all of our "stuff" as if we're doing it for him. Praying throughout the day/ dialoging with him. Remembering our purpose here....to please/glorify the Lord. In my study today I read about Enoch.....who "walked faithfully" with the Lord for 300 years and was taken up by the Lord because he pleased Him. What an amazing life he must have had to get a mention like this. Praying that I could have even and ounce of that integrity.

On another note,

We spent a weekend at the cabin with two other couples a few weekends ago and had a nice, relaxing time :) I did not force anyone to play chubby bunny this year to everyone's joy :) Kyle spent last weekend in Vegas with his friends; meanwhile my family came up to keep me company for a few days. Otherwise we've just been working and living life. Ilsa continues to be cute and funny. She's been having teething discomfort (we think?) off and on since Christmas time but still no teeth yet. Kyle also recently got a new table saw and is working on finishing more of the basement and started a sofa table tonight :)

:)

A while ago I got out all of Ilsa's cardboard books so I could start reading more things with pictures to her. Has anyone else noticed that nursery rhymes are a little weird??

Peter Peter pumpkin eater, had a wife and couldn't keep her, he put her in a pumpkin shell, and there he kept her very well.

..........spousal abuse????

Its raining, its pouring, the old man is snoring. He went to bed and he bumped his head and he couldn't get up in the morning.

..............a sad rhyme about an old man who didn't wake up the morning after hitting his head???

Rub a dub dub, three men in a tub...

..........hmmmm, no comment.

These don't seem very 'kiddie' or uplifting if you ask me :)

On the bright side.......I'm doing lots of laundry today and am awarding myself a medal for ability to get baby poop out of anything !!!!!

Have a great week friends!!!

Back at it

Well......all of us survived me going back to work! The baby barely ate the first night but by the third night was a bottle pro! I only cried on the way to work the first two days :) And it was good to get back into the swing of things and see my lovely coworkers again!

We just returned home from a quick trip to Omaha over the weekend. Was great to see everyone and I'm pretty sure Ilsa's got everyone right where she wants them (wrapped around her cute chubby little finger) :) We got some nice pictures taken, had a family dinner, watched the Packers win, exchanged gifts, and Kyle and I even went out for a dinner date :) We got the distant grandparents a webcam and are planning to do some videochatting as Ilsa grows so we can all stay connected better......so Kyle also got that all hooked up there and we had a practice session :)

The project this week: continue to try to get the house in order.......maybe by the time we have our summer party it will be done :)

Reflections as of late:

Thinking a lot about young wives and mothers with cancer (a friend of a friend and two patients right now). I can't breathe if I even try to imagine being in their position. How incredibly hard (not really strong enough a word) to let go of this world and look to the next. To lay down your control of life at the foot of the cross. To entrust your loved ones into His hands. To change gears from living in this world and taking care of those He's given you......to looking to the day when He brings you to himself. To really have to live and rest in what you believe. To let go of the questions and rest in Him.

Or, even scarier, if you don't believe........how hard to live with the anger and questions and fear of unknown. It must be a desperate place to be nearing the end of life and thinking that death is the end.

Pray for them friends.

Thankfully, most of us are not in that situation. I'm reminded to enjoy every ounce of what I hold precious for every bit of time that I'm given. I don't often talk about it but I generally live with deep seated fears of loss (maybe because of what I do and what I see) . I wasn't so afraid when I was single, but have been increasingly so as I've gotten married and now had a child. What I know though, is that there is no situation that the Lord cannot redeem. That even if times of hardship come, He is in control and doesn't leave us. No situation is too difficult for Him. In the end my worrying, protecting, and controlling doesn't really do anything other than take up my time and energy. My mantra this week is...........Live by faith, not by fear!!!!!!

"In God I trust; I will not be afraid." Ps 56; "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2; "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever." 2 Tim 4; "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God." Job 19; .."that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." John 3; "God is the strength of your heart and your portion forever" Psalm 73; "But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself." Psalm 49.

Two thousand eleven

Sounds crazy! I remember writing 1989.....yes, yes I know....I'm ancient. Although I doubt very many people reading this are much older than I am. We celebrated the new year in real style this year.........me in bed with Ilsa by 9 and Kyle up watching TV :)
Kyle was off with me this past week. We were up to his parents one day and otherwise just working around here. Our big accomplishment was getting the room upstairs (that will be Ilsa's nursery) cleaned out and painted. It's a pretty vintage green color. I'm having the carpets cleaned tomorrow and then we'll be moving her in :)
We started using the cloth diapers and homemade wipes this weekend. Seemed like a pain the first few days since we've been used to the disposable but I think we're getting the hang of it. Feels good to save money and the environment at the same time :)
I'm back to work on Friday so wish me luck :) :(

This was a nice little reflection that was in my study last week, thought I would share:

Take a moment to read Psalm 23, then record all the activities described. Once you record the activities, go back and circle the verbs or action words in your notes.

Ex: Makes me lie down.


Notice how active God is in your life!!!! The psalm opens with this line, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." (Ps 23:1). Then, the passage goes on to show the many ways God is providing for us through his guidance, leadership, restoration, protection, comfort, blessing, and assurance. The truth is that God's provision in our lives takes many different forms- and not just financial ones.


Blessings friends!