Hello to everyone, again! I meant to write a little closer to Lucy's birthday, but things have been crazy. I have some pictures I will post as soon as I can get them on the computer. We seem to be missing the cord that attaches to our camera. Surprise, surprise.
We celebrated Lucy's birthday last Saturday, July 12. It was a great celebration that was just right for a 1-year old. Lucy enjoyed a bit of her cake and, of course, got it ALL over. Good thing babies are washable. And, good thing Grandma Shirley was here to give her an afternoon bath. We were blessed to have Meaghan, Angel and Greta from the Birthing Center at St. Charles Hospital attend. They were all present in one way or another at the famous "event" one year ago, along with others. It was fun to have them here to celebrate that event. It was also fun to remenisce, although I still don't remember anything but the last week, which was in rehab. But the others who were present got to partake and I was able to listen and learn all sorts of new things. Lucy got lots of GREAT toys that she has been playing with ever since and I am still trying to find places to put them all, but I guess that is what birthdays are for, aren't they?
The Monday after her birthday we went to the hospital to visit the units we frequented (and I lived in) over the month following Lucy's birth. It was great to see more nurses who were so impactful to our family during that time. My mom and stepdad spent the day filling me in on even more events of the previous year.
After that we came home and they helped me paint the cabinets in my kitchen! They have been white and off white for so long. I am so glad because now they are ALL the same color, brown. I decided to go with brown because they won't be so difficult to keep clean and it turned out to look better than I thought it would. I am still trying to get everything put away. We also got the deck stained, which was another big project on our list of things to do this summer. We'll be beginning the biggest project of the summer, roofing our house, tomorrow. It currently has three layers of shingles that all need to come off (hopefully this weekend) and then we'll be putting on the new ones. A HUGE project for us, but one that we'll be so glad to have done. If you think about it, will you pray for safety during that time?
The girls are doing well. Grace is just finishing up VBS this week. She has enjoyed it and has met some new friends and got to spend time with some of her other friends. We keep asking her what she has learned, but she seems to have a short memory, or she is too social. Maybe tonight she'll pay more attention. I have been in charge of the arts and crafts and I'm thinking I haven't been doing a super job, but it's getting done, so I guess that is good. Every day when I go I have a list of things I need to do better (self imposed). Let's just say that it is a good thing I did not go into teaching.
Lucy just had her 1-year appointment. She is currently 22 pounds 10 ounces and 30 1/4" long. That is the 75th percentile for weight and 85th percentile for height. She's growing good and Dr. Chun said she's perfect! She got three shots, but they didn't seem to faze her. She is almost walking, probably any day, really. She is done with baby food. It isn't even worth it for me to buy it because she just turns her nose up at it. She wants big girl food. She LOVES her big sister and seems to notice if Gracie is gone for one reason or another. She is a little copy-cat, too. As long as she's copying the good things that is okay.
Ernie just finised a week of camps in Redmond. They were both well attended. Now he'll be focused on the roof until it's done. He won't be coaching football at the high school this year, but he will be coaching at the middle school, so that will be a change, but it will be nice to have him around a bit more and enjoy FALL! We've never had a quiet fall.
I am doing FABULOUS!!! I guess one way to quantify it would be to tell you all that I did the running leg for the Splash n Dash (an annual race here in PV that includes swimming, biking, rowing and running). My goal was to run the 4 miles in 40 minutes or less, and I beat my goal by 7 seconds. Not a lot, but it was an accomplishment for me. I am losing weight slowly. It is nice to know that I won't be putting it right back on by getting pregnant again because that isn't an option and I think it's given me a little more incentive. I am about 16 pounds from my goal weight. I am feeling better and better and haven't experienced some of the stress-related things in a while. God is good!
One thing I struggled with this past fall and winter was my belief of God. I have been a believer for as long as I remember, but the event I experienced last summer really made me question my belief. I was very worried because I have never before experienced unbelief. During that time I kept praying for my belief to become stronger, not weaker, and it has. Now my belief is extremely strong, to the point that I no longer question, is there a God, but I question how so many people don't think there is. I won't get very deep into this, but I want you all to know that I have no doubt in my mind. If anyone has any questions about that, feel free to ask. But, I thank you all for your prayers for me and my family during last summer and throughout the past year. I cherish those prayers and I know that the power of prayer has led our family to the place we are today. I'm not saying that we will not experience hardships, but I trust that God has our future in His hands and I trust that whatever the future may hold He will guide us if we ask Him.
Well, I think that is enough for now. I need to get the girls up from their nap.
God Bless You ALL!!!
Jenny
