It’s been a long time since we chatted – too long. We’ve got some serious catching up to do . . .

So the last few months have been very FULL.

Full of birthdays, and new projects, and lots and lots of life. They’ve been exhausting in the best possible way and I’m SO excited to finally be able to tell you I’m going to be a momma again this September!

I’m just starting to peek around the corner of the first trimester, thankful to put some space between me and the chaos of early pregnancy. I had forgotten how the hormones can make you into someone else entirely – but now that I’m feeling better, I have high hopes for the next leg of this pregnancy. I know the second trimester energy boost is coming, and boy, have I got the project list to prove it.

Experience Christmas Devotional

As you probably guessed, everything’s pretty much been placed on the back burner while I’ve slept the last few months, and while I’ve had to slow down thoughts for the Christmas devotional book, they have not stopped all together. I’ve been talking to an artist to get the ball rolling on the cover design and toying with a subtitle.

The three I like best so far are:

1. Experience Christmas: Preparing Your Heart for the Savior Through the Songs and Stories of the Season
2. Experience Christmas: Preparing Your Heart for Christmas Through the Songs and Stories of the Season
3. Experience Christmas: Preparing Your Heart for the Manger Through the Songs and Stories of the Season

Subtle differences I know, but I’m not ready to commit to one over another. Maybe another set of eyes will help – thoughts?

Spring Break

Just as the weather started to warm up in Chicago, we got on a plane – our first ever as a family – for spring break in Phoenix.

It. Was. Wonderful.

Not only was this the first vacation we’ve been able to take in a long time, we were able to spend some really precious quality time with extended family on both sides. And we missed what was hopefully the last Chicago snow of the season.

Win. Win. Win.

Graduation

With winter behind us and the smell of spring in the air (if not just my memory) my thoughts have turned to another huge milestone we’ve been slowly walking towards for the last several years.

This May, Mike graduates.

His associates degree was a big deal, but this. This is huge – something else entirely. This is the moment we saw when we packed up our lives in Carlinville, having no idea how crazy school, plus work, plus family would be. This is the dream that kept us disciplined and diligent, keeping on when the journey felt tractionless and indefinite. This is an end and a beginning and a celebration of a thousand small victories all wrapped into one.

The pride I feel in my husband and the accomplishments he’s made over the last six years is a difficult thing to explain. So I’ll just let the tears fall where they may, and smile big damp smiles the day he gets his diploma, hooting and hollering with the little people who’ve come to join us on this journey.

Thanks be to God.