Tuesday, August 10, 2010

I Needed the Quiet

****I came across this poem on a blog I read. It is such a good reminder of the need for quiet time with God.****

I Needed The Quiet

I needed the quiet so he drew me aside
Into the shadows where we could confide,
Away from the bustle where all the day long
I hurried and worried when active and strong.
I needed the quiet tho at first I rebelled,
But gently, so gently my cross he upheld,
And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things,
Tho weakened in body, my spirit took wings
To heights never heard of when active and gay,
He loved me so greatly he drew me away.
I needed the quiet, no prison my bed,
But a beautiful valley of blessings instead –
A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide
I needed the quiet so he drew me aside.

– Alice H. Mortenson

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Ivy Mae is here!

Beautiful Ivy Mae arrived a little early, but very healthy, on Thursday, July 22nd at 1:05pm, weighing in at 7lbs, 5oz, and 19 inches long. You can read about Ivy's arrival on Robyn's Blog. Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet her for a whole week due to the fact that the we were all in Missouri! We talked to David and Robyn, and "met" Ivy via internet chat until we could meet sweet Ivy in person. It was so hard to wait that long to meet Ivy, but it was well worth the wait. I love the fact that I am an aunt now and love the fact that both my kids have a cousin! I will also enjoy having Robyn join me in the "journey" of motherhood! Here are some cute photos of our first few times seeing the precious addition to our family...CONGRATS, David and Robyn! Welcome to Parenthood! :)

Our video conference set-up to see Ivy.
Nana's first time holding Ivy! Well worth the wait!
Madelyn checks out her cousin for the first time. See just giggled. :)
Discovering her cousin Ivy!
Uncle for the first time!
Madelyn giggles and touches her baby cousin. Soon they will be having tea parties together!
Cousins!
Ivy's first time eating at The Backstreet!

Missouri in Photos: Days 1-3

Our Missouri trip started out with a full day of travel, with a flight out of John Wayne Airport and a short layover in Denver. We landed in Kansas City around 8pm. I'm sure most of you could take a guess at where the family went first. Yup. Cracker Barrel. We sat in Cracker Barrel and ordered what we could of what they had left. They were out of meatloaf, roast beef, pot roast, hash brown casserole, and a few other items. Never the less, I ordered the "wholesome" breakfast meal, although I wasn't so sure it how "wholesome" it really was! We ate and watched the most amazing lightning storm I had ever seen. Day two was a nice day of relaxing and swimming in Terry and Jan's pool. In the evening, we headed over to Liberty, Missouri's old town and ate Mexican Food. It wasn't bad for Mexican food in Missouri. On Day three, I woke up to the news that Robyn's water broke. We were so bummed that miss Ivy was deciding to come early, when all the family was away!!!! With Robyn heading to the hospital in California, we headed to Kansas City for a day out. I got my first look at the Missouri river. Very muddy and murky. We went to Union Station and walked around. Word has it that there was a shoot out there to free a mob criminal that was being transported to a prison. The mob guy was killed on accident during the shoot out. Bummer. Next, we headed over to the Hallmark Center and walked around there. (This is when we found out that Ivy was born!) Jackson and Madelyn got to play in a Clifford exhibit they had there. We finished off the day with BBQ that was just okay and a walk around the shops in the heart of Kansas City. Stay tuned for the next few days in Missouri...

Jackson, our little traveler! This was his 5 time flying and he did great! He even carried his own luggage!

Firsts: Madelyn's first Cracker Barrel buttermilk biscuit and her first time in a bathing suit!

Liberty, Missouri....the bank where Jesse James and his gang robbed a bank in broad daylight for the first time.

Our sweet set-up in Terry and Jan's basement, complete with beds for our family of four!

Union Station, Kansas City, MO (Where's Jackson?)

The clock @ Union Station

Jackson's interview w/ Daddy.

The fam @ Union Station

Clifford, The Big Red Dog, with Big Jackson and Little Madelyn

Jackson's first "Build-a-Dino"...he named him "Roar." :)

Madelyn sporting Build-a-Bear sunglasses, which fit her perfectly.


Kansas City, AKA, the City of Fountains

Dinner and Shopping...



Me and my guy. :)