2010 in Review

So, I just went over my journal entry for this time last year and had a good chuckle over some of my goals for 2010.   Mostly I feel like a failure...  why do I do this to myself again?

• Daily Prayer Journal - was consistent for exactly 2 months, and then sporadic the rest of the year... would like to get better about this.
• Read 1 spiritual growth book per month - I think it was more like 5 for the year.  Not bad, considering I ended up reading a lot more pregnancy/baby books than I had planned for!  ;-)  (For what it's worth, my favorite was "200 Pomegranates & an Audience of 1" by Shawn Wood.)
• Read 1 business-related book every other month - really bad here.  Only read one:  "If You're  Not Having Fun Selling Real Estate, You're Not Doing it Right" by Jennifer Allan (very helpful - I like her style). I bought some good ones though, does that count?  LOL.
• Lose body fat - really epic fail.  I just added in this category.  But I got a super cute baby out of the deal, and a jogging stroller for Christmas, so hopefully I can get back on track for this goal!  
• Get pregnant - yes, it's true (I am a dork), I actually wrote this as a goal on January 1, 2010.  I had a positive pregnancy test on February 3, 2010.  Mission accomplished.  haha.
• Complete Dave Ramsey's Baby Step #2 - the debt snowball - we're not quite done with paying off our cars, but we're getting closer...
• Regular "date nights" with Eli - lukewarm on this one - did a little better pre October 3rd.  However, we've got a hot date planned at our favorite steak house for our 5-year anniversary on January 7th!!!
• Get in a small group by March - OK, we actually didn't accomplish this until September-ish, but it feels like I've known the people in our wonderful little group longer than that!  After having the awesome spiritual family that we did in St. Louis, this is something Eli and I spent a long time missing; and now I am thankful to say that God has surrounded us with another wonderful group of people to keep us accountable and real and to love and live life with.  Still love & cherish you STL folk and am so thankful for the technologies (facebook, blogs, email, cell phones) that allow us to stay close.

So, what are my goals for 2011?  Not sure yet...  Should I even make any?  Who knows?  But I will.  If nothing else, it will give us something to laugh at next year!  ;-)

Like Father, Like Son

Here's a photo from Eli's first Christmas...

And here are our attempts to recreate it...

And here's a photo of Eli with his white German Shepherd "Angel"...



















Unfortunately, Cooper (our black German Shepherd) would not let us recreate this scene...

But, Denver played along nicely...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Micah FAQs

People ask a lot of funny questions.  Here's my attempt to corporately answer the most common and/or most interesting.

How long is he sleeping?
I'll usually swaddle him up and put him down around 9:30 (after feeding him).  He'll usually then sleep for about 6-8 hours, wake up, eat, and then do another 3-4 hours.  I think this is pretty awesome compared to our old 2 hr routine.  However, once Micah's asleep at 9:30pm, I am frantically trying to do laundry, clean up, do dishes, shower, and pump.  On a good night, I'm asleep at 11pm and up again in 4 hours.  Still, this feels pretty good.

Is he sleeping through the night?
This is so subjective.  I give the same answer I gave above (6-8 hours) and some people are amazed and others act like they pity me.  Your definition of "through the night" might be different than mine, but in my book, I appreciate my 6 hours and don't expect any more for quite some time (or ever?)  LOL.

How are the dogs with him?

Good question!  Micah has 2 big furry brothers.  Cooper (our black 7 year old German Shepherd) is the body guard.  He guards me, and by default guards Micah since he appears to be an extension of me now.  He mostly ignores Micah.  Denver (our 5 year old "average dane" lab mix) is absolutely intrigued by every movement and sound Micah makes.  He may be slightly jealous of all the attention he used to get, but he takes it like a champ.  He even puts up with extended photo shoots.  Oh, and he checks for dirty diapers.  Seriously.  We hold Micah up to Denver and he sniffs his bottom.  If he sniffs and leaves, it's clean.  If he sniffs and points, it's dirty.  How handy is that?!?!  haha.

How's he eating?
This one amuses me.  He eats like a champ.  It's his favorite activity.  Do babies have any other hobbies besides eating?

Are you having fun?
Do you see the smile on my face?
(Even when he's screaming!)
Of course, I'm having fun.  Being a mom is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.

How big is he?
This one is ever-changing of course.  But so far, he remains in the 95th percentile for height and the 25th percentile for weight.  Right now that means, almost 25 inches long and almost 11 lbs.

Who does he look like?

This one is easy!  Definitely all Eli!  He has the Hosack nose, and maybe my ears.  But the rest is Eli.  Blue eyes, straight brown hair (even the same hair line!), chin, forehead, etc.  Check out Eli's baby photo next to this one of Micah:

 And then there's this classic shot.  What more do you need?

Oh, how I love these 2 boys!!!!

LUKE

OK, God, I get it.  I'm supposed to study Luke.

In June of 2009, Eli and I moved back to Kansas and began attending Grace Community Church in Spring Hill.  Pastor Joel was in the middle of preaching through the Gospel of Luke.  I think back then he was in chapter 4 or so.  Now, we're in chapter 11 or so.

In September of 2009, my favorite podcaster, Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, began a 2-year journey through Luke.

Recently, our little town of Spring Hill experienced a great loss in the life of 17-year old Nathan Stiles.  His life, however, was such a beautiful testimony of Jesus' love that his death is pulling people together in amazing ways.  At his funeral, his parents initiated "The Nathan Project" by giving out over 1000 Bibles to kids and adults alike.  The project's goal is to get people studying the Bible.  Numerous local churches have banded together to start offering small group study times.  Eli and I have incorporated it into our Wednesday night classes, and have been blessed to see our junior high class go from 10-12 to 30+ kids every Wednesday!  It's so exciting to see so many people excited to study God's word!

Anyway, Nathan's favorite book was Luke.  So that's what all (to my knowledge) the small groups all over the area are studying.

Coincidence?  I think not.  I don't think God deals in coincidences.  So, what's it all about?  JESUS!  I, we, people all over the world are all learning more about Jesus right now! Luke was a doctor with a knack for fact-checking.  His gospel is packed with detail and proof that Jesus is the Son of God.  Really, read it.  You'll see.

If nothing else, don't let this Christmas season go by without reading Luke 2.  You may already be quite familiar with it if you're a Peanuts fan...

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

-Luke 18:27

11 Weeks Old!

I think I'm long overdue for another Micah update here...  a lot has gone on in his little world since my last post!

For Micah's 2 month birthday, we went on our first road trip to Branson, MO.  And as you can see from the photos below, we had a blast!

Christmas Magic @ Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO

Eli and I left on Thursday, December 2nd and after a pit-stop in Osceola, MO (home of the famous Osceola Cheese), checked into our BEAUTIFUL hotel room just after dark.  We stayed in a condo-resort on Tablerock Lake.  Our room had a jacuzzi tub, a gas fireplace, a full kitchen, and a balcony with a beautiful view.  Micah definitely took his first vacation in style!  On Friday, we were joined by my mom (Grandma Mary) and step-dad (Grandpa Poonie) and Eli's parents (Pappy & Grandma CC) and grandma (Nan).  We spent the full day at Silver Dollar City (one of my most favorite places ever - especially at Christmas time!!!).  And although Micah is too young to appreciate how fun SDC is, he was in awe of all the lights and enjoyed the Christmas parade (music AND lights!).  Can't wait to take him back next year... he'll really love it then!  On Saturday, we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel (a road trip tradition!), went to the Butterfly Palace, and then headed home.

All-in-all, it was a fantastic trip, but I am glad that our first vacation with Micah was a driving vacation and not a flying vacation.  And wow, my little SUV was full to the brim!  I have no interest in being a mini-van mom, but I can see the need to upgrade to a Suburban or something!  LOL.  By the time we packed our gigantic pack-n-play (with built-in bassinet and changing table), 100 diapers & wipes, Micah's 10 outfits, our clothes, my pump & cooler, things started to get interesting...  ;-)  I should have taken a photo of the car all loaded up.  Anyway, it was a good warm-up for going to Mexico in April for Eli's cousin's wedding and going to Little Cayman in May for my Dad's 60th birthday!  Hopefully, we'll have another road trip in here soon to St. Louis!

Micah Paul @ 2 months

Meanwhile, my little man has been growing & growing & growing.  He remains tall & skinny though.  He can really hold his head up well, and is rolling over like a champ!  He smiles and coos and giggles and melts my heart a little more every single day.

I'm back to work now, but really have it made.  On the days Eli is working, I work from home or occasionally take Micah into the office with me.  He's already been to 3 or 4 sales meetings and 3 office Christmas parties (Olathe Crown, Spring Hill Crown, and Paola Crown). Poor little guy probably doesn't stand a chance since he's 4th generation real estate blood... haha!  When Eli's home, he usually brings Micah to meet me and Uncle Nick for lunch so I never have to go too long without seeing him!

Baby Dedication @ Grace Community Church

Between coming to the office with me and going to every single youth group activity at church, Micah is probably about as socialized as a baby can be.  He doesn't seem to mind being passed around and especially loves all his older "brothers" and "sisters" in our junior high youth group!

One other very special event in Micah's life so far was his baby dedication at our church.  Our whole family was able to be there while Pastor Joel dedicated Micah to the Lord and our church family promised to love and teach him.  He is one blessed little boy to have such an awesome biological family and a huge extended church family in his life!!!

OK, I think I'm blogged out for now.  Here's my favorite photo of the moment (I found the hat on etsy):

Anne Geddes doesn't have much on this adorable shot!  ;-)