Some pics

A nightly routine. Dad, Owen, and per Owen's request: a "big" pile of books :) And as for Matt's funny outfit it is actually a pair of pajamas that is fully body with a goofy little flap on the back that says "bear bottom" and a picture of a bear :) p.s. I didn't fully get permission to post this... but I guess you can't actually see it :)

My little sweetheart (Adelyn)

My little beach beauty (and a sweetheart too)! (Anabel)

An beautiful early morning view with a full moon

Sometimes it is fun to remember the mundane. A normal day's end. It was really all in order only a few short hours before!

Free Concert

Owen loves music. He often comes up with dance moves whose origination is a mystery to me (like in these videos). He often will get a toy that plays music and his drum and once he has played the music will drum to the beat. He is a constant source of laughter in our home :). I also love how he so carefully puts his guitar "back" like he sees done at church!

A morning walk

Anabel is a real walker now. She is so cute and tiny that it amazes me every time she does it. However, she is fully on the move! She can stand up unassisted, prefers to walk as opposed to her knees or crawling, and can pivot 360 degrees. My little girl!

In case you didn't catch it Owen very sweetly says, "Walk to me!" and then says "Good girl!". He really is so thoughtful and sweet!

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

I wanted to make a casserole that calls for canned cream of chicken soup (Mom Mumma's famous chicken chile casserole!) but didn't have any canned soup. I tend not to buy it because it contains MSG which makes me feel a bit crummy. I figured that you must be able to make it at home. I looked up a recipe online and came across this. It was quick and easy (I kind of eye-balled the spices which helps) and tasted fabulous. Now I also have one of Matt's favorite casseroles ready for dinner! Thought I'd share it!

Podcast!!!

So, I really love our church. A lot. I'm so thankful and humbled to be a part of it. People in it take the one-another's seriously and the call to serve and love seriously. I feel like it is a little piece of heaven on earth- which is what church should be. Anyway, I'm super stoked that our church has a blog and a podcast! Sanctified cleaning here I come!!

Cornerstone Church website

I also quite often listen to sermons from my church back during my college days which will always, always hold a very dear place in my heart. The pastor, Jack Hughes, is such a man of God and of the word. I'm thankful to still be able to hear him preach. You could, too, if you want :)!

Calvary Bible Church website

Advice to a new mom

My friend who is expecting was really humble and asked for baby advice. I gave her a list of my favorite baby products and then finished with the most important advice of all. I thought I would just post it here also because it is important. Having twins and a toddler pushed me to the end of myself and my abilities and my pride and taught me a lot about the gospel lived out in the most mundane and chaotic times. I still have leagues and miles upon miles to go but I think in God's goodness he has taught me a lot in the last year. To boast only in the cross and that God truly is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him. I might elaborate more on that later but for now this is my advice to a friend :).

Also, make sure you really prepare yourself by meditating on the gospel. It may sound basic, but it will prepare you to praise God for the many blessings of your new little one but also the things that will be hard. It is hard to live in the mundane and lose the freedom of spontaneity. To remember that the greatest thing you could do is to serve as Christ served though he was God will help when you feel like you have accomplished nothing but change diapers and feed the baby (which you may or may not feel). You have accomplished a TON in the eternal perspective by serving your baby by changing diapers and feeding him! It will also help when you get angry at your baby for the first time and then think you are a horrible mother (you have Christ's perfect record on your account and his forgiveness and his power to keep going and grow). Because Jesus lives in you you have the power to give yourself up for your baby, to sacrifice yourself for your babies' ultimate good; because Jesus sacrificed himself for your ultimate good.