Easter Baby

We just returned from a wonderful visit to Chicago - and are still recovering from the 14 hour drive home. I have lots of pictures to update and will do that as soon as I get a few free minutes. For now, I wanted to share the Easter portraits I took before we left.

Jesus, thank you for dying for us. Thank you for new life!

H's First Hike...

...and what a MEMORABLE hike it was!! This one will go down in history! With the weather improving, and a brand new (used) baby carrier purchased off Ebay, it seemed the perfect scenario. We called friends that are relatively new to the area and invited them for a hike. Thinking to myself, that I didn't want anything too challenging, I quickly decided against the highest point in our county. "Scenic would be nice" I thought to myself. Remembering a picture we had taken, and where I thought it was taken, I suggested a nearby mountain. It looked like it would be cloudy, but as we approached our destination; the clouds cleared and left us with a perfect cool clear day. We met our friends, paid our fee and set out for a leisurely 4 mile scenic hike. The first overlook was about 100 yards from the center. It was perfect. Other than the fact that Hmissed her morning nap, it was 11:30am; we had the afternoon ahead of us. To my concern that H would not fall asleep in the pack, she quickly conked out.

Our friends helped us adjust her so that she would not be uncomfortable.

After fiddling with her for 2 minutes, she woke up. Darn it! "I am such a bad momma; I woke up my sleeping baby...so much for that morning nap." We continued on. First downhill, then, we began the uphill stretch. Paul did quite well considering he was carrying a 20 pound baby in an 8 pound pack.

After maybe an hour, we made it to the top of that stretch. Next was the “scenic plateau”. As we continued on, that scenic plateau became quick rocky. No problem, we have done this before, as I reminisced about hand over foot hiking that we had done in the past. After another hour of very rocky terrain, suddenly we were engaging in hand over foot rock climbing.

Our sleepless baby did not like all the bouncing this entailed. And after reaching several peaks, only to see more treacherous rock climbs ahead, mommy nerves began to kick in.

We decided to take a break, have lunch and hope that we were at the end of our treachery. Passing hikers assured us there was much more to come. With lunch in her belly, I hoped H would fall asleep, which she did. We continued on.

Then we continued up, and up, and up. After several, "this still isn't the end???" peaks...we heard the wonderful sound of children. Those angelic little voices assured me there was hope ahead! And finally, we made it. Just as we climbed that last peak, we found a sign:

Okay, why wasn't that sign at the BEGINNING of the trail we took???? We hiked across the rocks and a man looked at us and said "You just came from there???? With a baby????" "Yes sir we did" Paul said proudly. And so, our story. We took a few more pictures and then continued down the "express trail to visitor center." We loaded up our tired baby, and our tired old bodies and headed home. Now, we can hardly move....but we have another memorable "First" for the baby book. :)

H's thoughts about the day

6 Month Report

Our precious bebe is now 6 months old. She is doing so well. We went to the Ped the other day and the lady at the front desk said she looked very...healthy. I joked that was code for chubby! H is a beautiful, lovable, kissable CHUB!! She is 21 lbs and 27 inches, wearing 12 month clothes (who sizes these clothes anyway?). Laying on her tummy she pushes herself backwards and is just started to attempt to pull up on her knees. She loves to bounce, and SCREAM (squeals of joy really).


Here is a new picture of her in my favorite sleeping position















Meeting her great-grandmother's twin sister

Grandma & H

Debt Freedom!!!

I am just blogging to share our wonderful news....we are debt free (except the house)!!!!!! This is HUGE for us as we have been struggling to overcome a significant chunk of consumer debt that we began our marriage with. For the first couple years of married life, I don't think we reduced our debt...just shifted it all around. Two years ago we were introduced to Dave Ramsey. We purchased his book on tape for around $25. This was some of the best money ever spent. It is SUCH a different philosophy and mindset to live this way. I have given up a salaried job with benefits to be a stay at home mom...and now, we are richer than we have ever been!! I am amazed that with the inspiration from Dave, we have come this far in just two years. While struggling with infertility, one thing I heard often "God has a plan." Of course, it was not our plan to be "well off" to have children. God, however, has ensured that all things come together for the good of those who love Him. On to Baby Step #3, a fully funded Emergency fund, to keep Murphy (Murphy's Law) out of our life.

The Babies Meet!

It was hard to get a picture of two dads holding their squirmy babies. Here is the best I came up with. Hopefully Becky had better luck.