One Month

Likes:  Eating, being rocked,
Dislikes:  Diaper changes, baths,
Eats: 3-4oz of Formula each feeding
Sleeps:  5-6 hours at night and 2-3 hours for naps
Mom's favorite memory: Dressing you up to go to my first Mother's Day brunch as a mom.  All the ladies loved your pink collared onesie and bow tie!
Dad's favorite memory: How you always had your hands by your face, even when you had been swaddled.

Around The Table

So, I already missed two days, but with a newborn I found it a little hard to fit a craft project in this week.  Hopefully this weekend will provide me some time to get working and then I can share with you next week!

I had a post all planned for yesterday, but never found the time to sit down and share.  Yesterday, I found myself so excited for dinner.  My church has a meal every Wednesday and then youth programming that follows.  My husband and I work with the high school group, so I have always looked forward to Wednesday evenings for that reason.  However, yesterday I realized that I was excited in a different way than I usually am.  It's always nice to not have to cook or worry about what to eat on Wednesdays, but I realized that what I was most looking forward to was who I would gather around the table with.  It is always a different group of people that we end up eating with, but it is always so nice to share a meal with these friends and loved ones.  I also believe that holy and Godly moments happen when we take the time to sit down and live life with other Christians.  I am encouraged on Wednesday evenings.  I am uplifted on Wednesday evenings.  BUT maybe more importantly I get to BE encouraging and uplifting!  Last night one of the junior high boys sat at our table surrounded by adults in their late 20s.  He wasn't shy about it or upset that his friends didn't save him a seat.  I just think it was a beautiful picture of the Kingdom-people of various ages coming together and sharing life.  We got to hear all about his new job that he had just started that day.  A simple conversation, but a huge moment in his life!

I am so thankful for my church family.  They have gone above and beyond welcoming and loving Sven.  (We haven't had to think about meals yet!)  They truly care about Paul and I and we couldn't be more blessed by them.  I pray that we can continue to find ways to connect and love each other and also to find ways to share Jesus with the community around us!

A New Chapter

A fellow North Park Early Childhood Education major of mine has me hooked on her blog!  I didn't know Rachel super well outside of class at NPU, but stumbled upon her blog about a year ago through Facebook.  She posts simple updates on life with her two sons, updating a home, being a wife, recipes, faith and style.  I found myself really appreciating how she portrays her life and her faith and longing for a similar outlet.  I am beginning a new chapter of life as a mom and while I'm loving that role I want to make sure that I don't lose other aspects of life that I love.  Therefore, I'm going to see how this whole blogging thing works again and focus on a specific part of my life each day.  

Paul and I have been working our way through Dave Ramsey's seven steps to financial peace for the last year and it has become a really important and steadying part of our relationship.  We don't fight over money and instead are controlling it!  On Mondays, I hope to share our story and tips on budgeting and taking control of the money that God has blessed us with.

I love Pinterest and creating in general.  On Tuesdays, I'd like to share something that I've created with you.  This will keep me focused on this aspect of my life, even when life gets crazy!  Creating something relaxes me and excites me at the same time!  Pinterest will keep me full of ideas I'm sure!

A central part of my life is my faith, but I often let being too busy become an excuse to let my relationship with Christ fall to the wayside.  I hope that each Wednesday I can share a scripture that I'm wrestling with or a new song that I've discovered!  I have some new bands to check out that will be at CHIC (a conference for high school students) this summer!

Thursdays will combine my new found role as "mom" with my role as "teacher".  I love young children and being a part of their lives.  They are always surprising me and I'm sure having a child of my own will bring a whole new perspective to my early childhood studies!

Lastly, I have lost a love of photography over the last few years, but I have a cute new subject to help me work on my skills.  On Fridays, I may just share a picture or two from the week or share a new tip that I've learned about photography.  I hope this will force me to begin to understand my camera more and how to successfully take awesome pictures.  I love capturing memories and want to be able to capture special moments in Sven's life.

So, here's to seeing where this takes me and if I can continue to find joy in these areas of my life!

#7-10

7. fresh smells from a garden















8. the first taste from my garden!















9. rearranging furniture to make a space feel new

10. summer rain

4.-6.

4.  Experiencing the change of seasons
5.  The smell of summer in the air
6.  Budding blossoms

3.

3. A struggling student getting it

I have just started tutoring a 5th grade boy mostly in math.  I love math and it has always come easy to me, so I love spreading the joy of math to others.  Today he was getting it and man did he have a big smile across his face!  It's nice to know that you're helping someone, even when it seems like you're doing nothing.

2.

2. New life

This past weekend I got to meet my new baby cousin Nathan.  I don't think I've ever held a baby that small.  My roommate became an aunt last week and a friend from my small group became an aunt today.  What a blessing from God!

1.

My hope is to make my blog anew and to explore eucharisteo...realizing His blessing each day.  I'm inspired by the book one thousand gifts by Ann Voskamp.  My small group and I have been SLOWLY working our way through this book and I've been trying to figure out what my way of finding God in each day or the small things would be.  As I was looking at Ann's website I was caught up in her beautiful pictures and realized that this was my ticket.  I love photos.  I love taking photos, however that love has fallen to the wayside as of late.  BUT, my desire is to find my way back to this love of photography and use it as a way to find His blessings in each day.

I'd like to start with a photo from yesterday.
1. Laughter of a child

Laurel is by far my favorite three year old and one of my favorite people to spend time with, but nothing beats that sweet little giggle and knowing that she is happy-even if it is a fleeting moment.

footnote: Ann uses a list to record her eucharisteo (another love of mine!)

Once again, I've neglected the blogging world. I've been at camp now for two weeks and things are going good. It's a tiring time of year at camp with early breakfasts and late dinners. Summer staff is slowing trickling in, but tomorrow we start lifeguard training. I'm excited for this first part of my job for the summer. I'm glad I get to spend a week with these new counselors and get to know them really well right off the bat! I think it's going to be a fun week.

Last weekend I took my first trip across "the bridge" and headed downstate to Portage Lake Bible Camp for Mike's wedding. It was such an awesome weekend. I love Libertyville Covenant weddings and it was fun to see another covenant camp. Meghan looked absolutely stunning and Mike's smile never left his face. I got also got to spend Saturday morning and early afternoon hanging out and catching up with Anne and Becky. It had been way too long since we had been able to do that!

I've successfully injured both my should and neck in the past month...hopefully I'm back in swimming shape fast!

The U.P. is beginning to feel different. There are people starting to arrive at camp and I'm noticing more IL plates while driving around town...both signs that summer is coming!!! Hagerman is a lake once again and we've started seeing rain instead of snow. This morning the sun is shining through my windows!

Yesterday, I babysat Laurel and then headed out to camp to be a big buddy for their Rockin Robin's nature program. My little buddy is the cutest first grader ever! She just loved running around the woods on our nature hunt and we planted sunflowers (She also let me take one home!). It's such an enjoyable experience since Jane didn't have to put me with a child who has behavioral issues!

I have 4 more days of school and then I am done! I'm looking forward to the change of pace that summer will bring, but I've really had an awesome year with a job that I love. I'll be excited to see my kiddos as BIG kindergartens in the fall!

I'm excited for this week to be over for many reasons:
-the close of the school year
-life will be a little less crazy
-I will have finished Wilderness First Aid
-I can start really dreaming and planning for my summer on the waterfront
-Paul comes home from Fort McCoy
-I will get my camera back from being cleaned

This week I started making cards again! I came across an out stash of blank cards and started creating. I hope to make a bunch for weddings/showers I have this summer, but also to have a stockpile for letter writing while I'm at camp this summer. I hope maybe being back at camp will help me to write letters again-I used to be so good at being a pen pal!

Here are my first few:



I'm becoming the queen of lists as my school year winds down and I'm trying to get everything done before heading out to camp. Monday I'm taking a personal day-my first ever paid day off!!! Sadly my exciting plans are only driving back to the U.P. from Lville, but I suppose it's nice that I actually get to spend Easter with my family. Only three weeks left with my little nuggets at school!

Last week was spring break! I headed to California for a few days to soak up some sunshine. I first went to northern California to visit my roommate Krysta.
We toured San Francisco and Santa Cruz. I got to see Mission Springs, the Covenant camp that Krysta has worked at for years. I love getting to see all of the different camps! After my weekend with Krysta I headed down to Azusa Pacific University. It was great to spend some time with Erika and Davin (and lunch with the Laurens!)

The week is already off to a busy start, but I realized that I have lots of exciting countdowns in life right now!

-Megan moving to Iron River on May 1st
-5 more weeks of school (last day May 12th)
-camp starting May 17th
-Rachel's wedding on June 11th (I finally have my dress, now it's time to pick the shoes!)
-And now, Julie's wedding in December...I'm saving my pennies to make the trip to Guatemala!

While I think I'll be sad to see the school year end I'm also very glad I have so many fun things to look forward to! It's a beautiful day in the U.P. today, but I have a feeling spring isn't here to stay quite yet...

Well, here is attempt number two at a blogging life.

This winter has been a good one, but I am loving the feeling of sunshine coming in through my windows most days-and greatly anticipating summer (since Spring doesn't really exist in the U.P.)

I quit my job at the daycare, so I am enjoying my first Friday off! I'm hoping that it can be a day to catch up on life: cross things off the "To Do" list and leave some time to relax.

Dawn is coming to visit this weekend, my parents were here last weekend, and I'll be in Chicago every weekend in April, so I have a feeling my Fridays are going to become a precious time to get caught up with the craziness of life. We have one week left until Spring Break and then only five short weeks after that! It's hard to believe that this school year is almost over. It has gone by so much faster than last year.

I love my job. It's fun to realize how much I've come to know these awesome little 4 year olds this year. I know their habits, what sets them off, and what foods they'll eat. I hope I get to stick around and watch them grow up into the people they were created to be. They make me laugh and they test my patience everyday...I'd say it's a pretty good relationship!

I don't have any pictures today, because I've been slacking in that area, too. I hope to be better at that again. My exciting news is that I've taken the waterfront director position at Covenant Point this summer. So I'm sure there will be lots of fun stories and pictures to come over the summer!

Craft Fair

This weekend I participated in my first craft fair. Jenny Mecher had a table at the sale and let me put out some wallets that I had been making. I only made $18, but it was fun to hang out with Jenny and visit with the people who stopped by!





Tonight is the first boy's home basketball game! It'll be fun to be a wykon fan again and to watch some of the youth group kids play.

Chuck

This week I lost someone very near and dear to me. Thursday evening I was having dinner with some people from church when I received a phone call saying that something had happened to Chuck (Executive Director of Covenant Point Bible Camp) and that it didn't sound good. I didn't want to believe it...and really still do not. I immediately went out to camp and spent the evening grieving with those of us in the area. I was able to take Friday off and just be at camp...a major blessing! I had been asked to share at the Thanksgiving Service at church on Sunday night. I almost backed out, but I am thankful that I decided to share.

What I'm Thankful For...

When I was first asked to share I thought, "oh this will be easy, of course I have something I'm thankful for that I can share." Then I quickly became overwhelmed with all of the ideas-do I really focus in on one thing or do I share the many things that I am thankful for in life? But in light of everything that has happened over the past few days it quickly became VERY clear to me what I needed to talk about.

I'm thankful for Chuck and the life that he lived. He was an excellent example of so many things: servant hood, humility, faithfulness, simplicity, joy, the list goes on and on...

But what I really want to share tonight is how thankful I am for the concrete image of the body of Christ that I have experienced the past few days. I always knew there was something special about the Covenant Point community. I've been drawn to it my entire life. Since Thursday I have constantly been reminded of that blessing. As we have gathered for hours on end just existing together I have seen and felt God's love surrounding us.

It's hard to put into words something so beautiful and something as simple as a love that is overcoming things...big and hard things.

It's togetherness. I've been craving just being with my camp family at this time and God has had a way of bringing the phone calls when I needed them the most. Even though we have had few words o share I'm thankful to be connected. The time that I felt God the most was on Thursday night, just before I left camp, I was able to sit on the phone with two dear friends and just cry. We had no words to share; we just needed to feel each others presence.

I'm thankful for the shared tears and laughter. I'm thankful for the hugs. I'm thankful for the "I love you's." I'm thankful for the meals together. I'm thankful for the beauty of Covenant Point. I'm thankful for my ever-present God. But right now I am most thankful for this family, this body of believers, that God has blessed my life with.


Chuck Fraiser 1951-2010 "Well done good and faithful servant"

Laurel's Dress

I successfully completed the dress that I made for Laurel Johnson!!! I found this fabric around the start of school and just bought it because I didn't want to pass it up. I finally landed on a project and I must say I'm completely thrilled with how it turned out. Laurel wore the dress to church on Sunday, but don't worry she had an accident before I could get a picture of her wearing it...maybe next time!

the big 2-5

This year for Halloween our church did Trunk or Treat. It was awesome. We had around 20 cars parked with their trunks in a circle and kids from the community came and went trick or treating at each car. There was also free chili and hot dogs inside for dinner. It was a major success and we ran out of candy several times-what an outreach to the community. It was fun to hang out all dressed up and I got to see several of my students all dressed up! Here are a few pictures:

As soon as Halloween is over my birthday celebration began...I had an awesome birthday week this year! One of my students also goes to church with me so she let out the secret that it was my birthday therefore about every 5 seconds one of the kids would wish me a happy birthday. I had birthday pizza with Linnea and Laurel and then went out with Colby, Anders, and Paul. Tuesday was my birthday party. Linnea went above and beyond to make me a Chipotle dinner...it was delicious and so fun to be with friends.

I also went home last weekend to celebrate with my family and then to also see friends from North Park. Amanda was in Chicago for the weekend and it was so fun to all be together again...it had been WAY too long! We spent the afternoon at the Botanic Gardens and then went to the NPU vs. Wheaton soccer game.


I have a long weekend this weekend and I'm looking forward to spending it in the UP. We have Monday off for opening day of hunting season and tomorrow is an in-service day for the teachers...so 4 days of freedom! I did not get scheduled for the daycare tomorrow which was making me a little nervous since I had taken the previous Friday off which means a large portion of my monthly income being lost. However, yesterday at church I was given an awesome gift which was just a reminder of all the ways God provides for us. It gives me comfort to know that He is going to take care of me financially...and in all other areas of life. What a God that I serve!

back in business

It took me awhile to get some pictures on my computer, but now I have lots to update with!

Here is an overdue picture from the Women's Retreat.

A couple weeks ago for youth group we did our annual apple cider making event at Phil and Pearl Carlson's (where I lived last year). This was my third year participating and I always look forward to it. The cider is delicious and its just a fun time to hang out with the kids.Some of the boys cutting the apples

Grinding the apples into the press
Pressing out the juice
Ready to enjoy!
And of course a picture of my favorite.


Last weekend I headed to Minnesota for Craig and Sarah's wedding. It was great to see my high school friends and my parents. I can't believe all of these crazy boys are married already!
Things are still going great at work. The children were extra crazy this week because of Halloween. Monday should be interesting after all of their trick or treating!

Go Vikes!

So this whole two pictures a week thing only works when I take pictures...and I've been slacking.

This past week was great, but also a little crazy.

I took last Friday off of work and headed down to North Park for homecoming weekend. It was so great to be back in the city and see so many people that I love. I got down in time to take in a soccer game...I was hoping to get to see my fabulous God brother, Andrew, play, instead I cheered loudly for him as he stood on the sidelines ;) Saturday was spent catching up with people at the homecoming block party. I always forget how tiring big social situations are for me...but it's always worth it. One of the best parts was being able to catch up with two of my youth group boys that have gone on to college. It's so great to hear about their lives...I miss them too much!

I started making a dress for Laurel (Kevin and Linnea's daughter). It's fun to get back into sewing a bit and it is going to be SO cute.

School is still going great. I actually had the opportunity to apply for some other jobs this past week...which would have meant more hours and more money...but I've decided to stay where I am because I love it so much. Today a four year old boy told me he was in love with me and then kissed my hand. What a charmer. I'm not sure what to do about it haha! The kids get more hilarious by the day and today was an early dismissal so I cannot complain! God is taking good care of me!

October is a big month and it is beautiful in the UP-pictures would not do it justice! I'm going to soak up the warm afternoons for as long as I can, because I know that snow and cold are just around the corner.

this past weekend i attended the covenant women retreat at cov. point. it was a beautiful fall weekend and fun to be a camper. i also enjoyed spending quality time with good friends and eating a lot of delicious food. i didn't take many pictures and the few i do have are not yet uploaded.

my week is off to a fun start. i'm still loving my job and loving the kids. they say and do some pretty funny things. my favorite quote "my nose is leaking"



http://www.npumin.com/podcast

shane claiborne has me speechless right now.