New Things

Halle is loving her new exersaucer! She is obsessed with this barrel of monkeys that she can spin.





And everything has been going in the mouth!



Even the thumb!





I just think she looks like such a big girl in this pic!

3 1/2 Months

Halle finally got her 3 month pictures taken, although she's 3 1/2 months. One of our college students took them outside and I think she did a great job! I will be getting wallets soon for those of you family members! Here are some fun shots that we're not using, but look great! I can't figure out how to rotate them, so you'll have to look sideways! :)

Tonight is our first college service and we are so excited! We took our college leadership team- all students- on a retreat this weekend. It was a ton of fun and we were all pumped for this year of ministry!

Thoughts

I was looking back over previous blogs and realized that I used to do a lot more writing, so I thought I'd jot down some thoughts as of lately, and of course a Halle picture!

1. I feel a huge sense of freedom!! In a way that sounds weird because most days, I am tied down to Halle's schedule and things revolving around her. But, I think I feel a huge burden lifted off my shoulders now that I'm at home. It's interesting because I don't know if I feel that way because teaching isn't for me, or if it's that I'm just really doing what I truly want to do, and that's being with Halle. But it seems like most of my time is taken up, but I really feel like I'm able to pour more into the students here, and that makes me feel great that I'm involved more with Brian's ministry and even great for myself.

2. I've been reflecting lately on how much has happened in this past year, and I just feel like I'm in a totally different place. I think it's taken a full year to really adjust to being here. And I can truly say that I'm so happy to be here with where we are in life right now. I see a lot of God's purpose for us and find a ton of joy ministering to the college students here. Plus I've connected with a lot more people, so it feels like I'm finally getting friends!! So thanks to you who have helped make it feel like home here!

3. Realizations- I feel like I've come across quite a few of those lately, which are important to have those moments. Here are a few...
- I need to do the things that fill me up
- There are never enough hours in a day to get everything done
- You can't change people, they have to change themselves
- God's will is not black and white

These totally have nothing to do with each other, but just some thoughts

4. Motherhood- I absolutely love my little girl!! She brings so much joy to our lives. I never get tired of making her smile. She loves it when I sing to her, and she tries to sing along. She's starting to hold things now, and having more control of her hands. Things are moving so fast- so I feel blessed to be able to watch all of her first steps in life!

Uncle Quinn

This weekend was Halle's fist meeting with my brother, Quinn. He was doing some course work for his master's degree all summer up in the UP and was unable to make it down to see Halle. He has seen plenty of pictures, but nothing like the real thing. He was mesmerized by her beauty and spent so much time with her. It was so fun to see him feeding her and holding her. She loved him! My parents were also here with us and they loved every minute. She's getting cuter by the day and loves smiling lots!


Smiling at Uncle Quinn


Posing like Halle


Brother and sister


Smiling at Nana


Even Aunt Kelsey came


They didn't want to leave!

We love you Gervel's!