New is a Good Thing

I haven't written in so long, honestly, I haven't really thought much of it either. The past year has felt like an absolute whirlwind. I didn't ever think that I had a hard time with change, big change anyway, but my Myers Briggs and the past few years have said otherwise. So, I guess, I'll embrace it. I like it when the leaves change, I don't really like it when life does, I mean, I like it, I don't want to sound completely rigid, it's just hard.

For the past few months, I've finally let myself grieve -- I didn't realize how hard leaving ministry would be. It's an automatic extended family. I guess I should have thought that walking away from that would ache - it just didn't ever really occur to me, that it would. That season of life for Todd and I was so sweet. I wouldn't have wanted to start off our marriage any other way.

We had the privilege of leading students with one another, going to camps, staying up way too late and eating too much Eureka Pizza - really, I don't think I'll ever eat that pizza again. Harpers first trip was a plane ride out to Colorado - looking back, I was kind of nuts, she was 8 weeks old (and a trooper that week!) - I just couldn't imagine not being there for my girls last camp - and camp with Todd was my favorite.  He was an amazing youth leader - and I ran our churches fair trade shop and then coffee shop - we intersected outside of student ministry on a daily basis.

Since then, Todd and I have both started new careers. He's a teacher at New Tech High School in Rogers and I run operations and account manage at a marketing agency (Smack.co). The change came at the right time for both of us - we'd been praying about it for a while for Todd and then once he transitioned - we started praying the same for me.

We're both exactly where we are supposed to be - I have such a peace about that. It's just new and different and we don't really get to do it together. I realize this is the norm - that most couples don't get to experience what we did. I have a new sense of grace for those who walk out of ministry -- I get it. I also have a new sense of understanding for couples who go their separate ways in the morning and come home that evening spent -- I get that, too.

But, through it all, I know that the Lord would not call us from where we were if it weren't His Will. Harper is flourishing in her new little preschool - and Todd and I are learning how to share in life with one another in a completely new way. Our weekends are sacred - this is one big bonus, something we didn't ever get before. We are loving Saturday Night at Mosaic. We get to sleep in on Sundays -- watch cartoons and stay in our PJs all day, well Todd and I do, Harper only wants to wear her Elsa Halloween costume on the weekends.

These are good things - and pretty soon, it will feel like our normal, not our new normal. We have so much to be thankful for this year. 


Kels

Harper Faye {9-12 months}

Well here we are, you've turned a year old. A little living timeline in our home, it’s kind of crazy, from here on out, years passing will just look a little different.

We love you so much, I can’t imagine life without you sweet Harper. Here’s a little re-cap of the last 4 months.

9 months

·      You started pulling yourself up over Christmas break, so month 9 was spent exploring the tops of coffee tables and couches.

·      This newfound ability means Hosmer is pretty much within reach at all times for you, which you love.

·      You two have “communal” toys, they are the toys we have given up on trying to separate, a mixture of baby & dog toys. Sorry, it’s just so not worth it anymore.

·      We started feeding you food that wasn’t mashed up. You LOVE bananas and strawberries!!

10 months

·      You are sleeping through the night pretty consistently. Huge win!

·      You are crazy attached to your blankie, you have to have it at nap time and bed time. Or. Else.

·      You’re cruising around furniture now, passing yourself off from couch, to coffee table, to chair and then back again.

·      You can throw toys to Hosmer, you are also very aware of the power you hold over him when you have one of his toys. Its pretty funny to watch.

·      You love going on walks!

11-12 months

·      You are starting to take steps now, still pretty wobbly. You walk around the house with your little baby stroller, it’s pretty cute.

·      You give kisses to us and to your baby doll.

·      You can make the “woof woof” sound and “Rawr,” for a lion.

·      When we say, “How big are you?” Your hands shoot up over your head.

·      You know your “piggies,” are your toes.

·      You say “Mama, Dada, Dog, Hi and I think bottle.”

·      You are full on walking about a week before your birthday!!

·      You are a great eater, you love cereal bars, any kind of fruit, veggies, cheerios, sweet potatoes and more. We are just now starting to introduce you to cheese and meats.

·      You laugh when we laugh, just want to be in on the joke. Its pretty adorable.

Whenever I was pregnant with you, we would pray that you would be a joyful person and that when other people were around you that they would sense that and they would become joyful by proximity. That joy would be spread. Harper, that is you completely, I see it everyday, even the grumpiest old man in Wal-Mart can’t help but smile when you start talking to him. It’s increased my faith watching Jesus answer that prayer.

We love you, you’re the best. Happy Birthday!

Mom & Dad

Harper Update: 6-8 months

Harper, 

So I am progressively getting worse and worse at documenting your life. There are million bloggers out there now --- most with children, more stay at home moms. And really with them? HOW IN THE WORLD DO THEY FIND THE TIME?!? You're napping and I just dusted, vacuumed and went through a giant stack of mail that had been teasing me for about 3 months. And I call that a win. I'm feeling good, so I'm about to tackle some of your accomplishments. All meshed together into one big ball of 6- almost 8 months. Blah! 

• You're sleeping great in your crib! And you like it!! The heavens are opening and angels are singing -- 3 months ago I never thought I'd live to see the day. 
• ^^^ This leads to mine and your dads sleep. Cue the heavens one more time. 
• You started scooting probably around 6 months and now you're crawling!! BAH!! How fun! You're into everything.
• Like really Harper everything. How is it you KNOW the things you are now supposed to have? Your dad and I found an old remote and we have tricked you into believing we use it. When we "catch" you with it we say, "Oh no Harper how did you get that?" "Harper thats not yours," then set it on the other side of the rug where you can obviously crawl to it and we do it all again. It's become your favorite thing. And we laugh at our genius parenting moves -- this is one area we are winning at. 
• You are eating food now!! Real live baby food. Eeee! You will eat pretty much any of it. You especially love sweet potatoes and pears. Yum! I always try your food first and it grosses your dad out. But hey, I'm not gonna feed you anything I wouldn't try myself. 
• You also eat mum mums and puffs. You love snacking! 
• You can sit up un-attended 
• You LOVE bath time! You just figured out how to splash water everywhere.
• You are so full of giggles! You also think I am funnier than your dad. Which I find really funny! We can be doing the exact same thing and you'll be belly laughing at me and when he does it you just give a little smile or a blank stare. We share the same sense of humor --- this is gonna be fun. 
• ^^ One day you'll realize he's actually funnier, until then I'm gonna relish 
• The lady at church called you the star of the nursery -- and it melted my mama heart. So stupid I know. Because I don't really even know what that means. But it's gotta be good. 
• We had you dedicated at church in October, you ate up the spotlight! It was so cute. 
• You just love people Harper -- it's so fun to see. I don't think I've ever met a baby as social as you. I hope when you grow up you're the same way. That you just LOVE everyone. You have a big heart, I can already tell. :)
• You basically outgrow everything I buy you. So I am kind of dressing you in the same outfits over. and over. and over again. 

My heart couldn't be bigger for you. I love you more and more each day. It's so fun watching you grow up sweet girl. Your dad and I feel so lucky to be your parents. 

Love you, 

Mom