A Sweet Season

I was reflecting today on my season of life and came to the conclusion that this is just such a good one that I needed to share.  I love fall.  I love the leaves...the lattes...getting to wear my sweatshirts again.  Beyond that I am really enjoying the season of life we are in right now.  I mean look who I hang out with all day...

Ellie has such a sweet spirit and is an incredibly fun baby.  It was the Lord's kindness to start us with such a gentle, fun little girl.  Her baby stage has honestly been a breeze and I am so grateful for that.

I also came to the conclusion (for the 10,000 time) that our God knows what He is doing.  In just over two years of marriage we have experienced 5 jobs, 2 moves, and the birth of our first child yet our marriage stands ever stronger.  I also see the way God has used each of these transitions to change me and show me new aspects of His character that I would not have seen if we had not endured the transitions.

I have read and prayed over this verse countless times over the past few years...
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (Matt 6:25-34)

Now that I can look back and see all the ways we have been cared for I can do nothing else but praise the Lord.  I'm not a fan of change and I usually protest but He knows best.  I am grateful for grace in the moments I doubt it.  He hasn't made us rich, He hasn't made us famous...but He has loved us, humbled us and grown us and that is so much sweeter.  

Sniffle sniffle cough cough

Ellie is fighting her second cold...or at least I think it is the second.  It was one rolling right into the next really.  Poor little thing is a hot mess.  She is exactly what I would be when I am sick if I just let go and told everybody EXACTLY how I felt.  You can ask Adam but I think I pretty much do that anyway.  Like mother like daughter I guess.  We've got sniffles and coughs and for the first time a fever.  After being a baby nurse you would think I could handle it; but I still freak out a little.  It hasn't been very high and she has acted fussy but fine...still I run through worst case scenarios in my head all day long.  Thank you University of Iowa College of Nursing for the special kind of crazy you have instilled in me.

We have seen a decent amount of this face the past couple of days...

but today she was looking a little better.

This Mama is not complaining though, my sick baby slept through the night the past 2 nights!  I paid for it both mornings with early wake up calls and frequent feedings but I'll take that any day over a crying baby in the middle of the night.  

Praying for a happy healthy baby girl in the morning!

It's Been Awhile...

So I thought I would give this blogging thing another go.  I quit about a year ago because I realized I had nothing to say but now that we have a sweet little girl to talk about maybe it will go better.  Oh, and the staying home instead of working long hours...that might help too.

Here's the quick update since last September...
~ We got pregnant not 1 week after we were told we were going to have trouble with that process
~ We spend exactly one year in Columbia before Adam was offered a job in Cedar Rapids, IA at St. Luke's Hospital
~ Our sweet Ellie was born June 15, 2012...and while it was not our timing it was the Lord's, I am incredibly grateful for our baby girl
~ I'm a stay at home mama now!  It's been my dream job for awhile now and I am loving the transition

Our days look different now.  Ellie is still waking once or twice most nights.  She also has a hard time going to sleep at night which takes up a good part of our evenings.  I spend the days taking care of our home, going to MOPS, loving on my girl, and working out (ugh baby weight).  Adam is still on orientation at work and his schedule changes a little day to day but he is LOVING the new position.  North Liberty is our home now and we are so grateful.

There's the update, now here are some pics!

Little Miss Ellie back when she was her littlest.  

These are the men from our small group in Columbia who came over at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning to load our stuff.  That group was one of the fondest memories we have of Columbia.

And that my friends is as big as I can possibly get...wow.  We took that on our way out the door for our induction.  

Now I'm hoping to keep you updated a little more frequently, and since I set the bar so low not posting for a year maybe I can do that.  

Iowa City or Columbia?

Now where do you think we took these pictures? 

Home sweet home right? 

The DOT...

Check out those Missouri plates!  Now, you wouldn't believe what I went through to get them.

I don't think I have ever had a favorable experience with the DOT and lately with all of the car buying and selling we have been interacting frequently.  Today I had my first run in with the Missouri version.  All I can say is...Thank God I got the guy I did and not the mean lady in the booth next to him!  Larry at the DOT was my friend because apparently buying two cars within 90 days of moving brings with it abundant paperwork and big checks.  I spent no less than an hour at the counter and nearly a grand getting our cars registered.  He was patient and only followed the rules given to him by the state, but seriously? 

So, my advice to you...watch out for Missouri tax laws and if you ever need anything at the DOT talk to Larry.  :)  Another hurdle overcome...now we get to switch our drivers license, oh yea and my nursing license too.  I'm sure it will be an adventure.

What a long week...

Our time in Iowa is over and it was so sad to leave!  We are incredibly grateful for the time God gave us in Iowa City and all of our sweet friends.  I'm trying not to dwell on the sadness of leaving though.  I know I could just sit here and miss Iowa, but this is where God has us now. He has been so clear in His will getting us here, now it is time to trust Him through the transition.  That being said...I miss Iowa.

So far so good on this whole Columbia thing though.  The weekend was really refreshing.  I got in Friday night after the most emotionally taxing week and went to bed.  The rest of the weekend has been filled with cleaning, cooking, shopping, and meeting new friends.  Sweet Elizabeth McKinney, her husband Chris and their small group have been a blessing from the Lord!  We have loved meeting new friends and starting to form relationships in this city. 

We also went for a walk downtown and on campus and decided that this place is A LOT like Iowa City...super trendy with fun shops and local restaurants...but with just a little southern flare.  A big plus was the awesome little greek place we went for dinner. 

I promise once I find our camera in this mess I'll get some pictures posted!  

I think I am a Columbian...

I checked out of our apartment today.  It was the first place we ever lived together and I was a little sad to go.  We will always remember that little place.

 Goodbye 30 #2...you were an nice little place to live :)

I had this moment as I was walking the last bag of trash out to the dumpster when I realized..."I don't live here anymore."  I can't believe in the past few weeks we have made all of these decisions.  The reality of leaving is really sinking in.  I know it is a good thing though, God is in this and I am excited to see what He'll do.

Have I mentioned we like visitors in our new home?  Seriously though...anytime :)