love you so.

You know those people who talk about babies sleep?
You know how they say even if they go to bed later, they WON'T sleep in longer.
I no longer believe those people.

I had a little getting up at 5:45am because she was going to bed at 6:30pm.
Now, she is going to bed at 7:30pm and getting up at ... she's still asleep at 8:22am!!!!!!

Thanks Jesus.

Blurry.

Although this picture is blurry. & taken with my iPhone. It has so much meaning to me. My little one got on her knees and started rocking back and forth. She loves taking steps when we hold her hands and walks all around. BUT this was all by herself and it shocked me! We have hard wood floors so I barely ever (unless I move the coffee table so she can lay on the rug) let her down on the ground. We play on my bed and at other people's houses on their carpeted floors. & to admit that I was the one excited for the hardwood floors. Oh well. We are moving soon. Like in 12 days. Oh yeah and then again three weeks later.



That was a much easier way to tell all of you that our lives are soon changing drastically!
More details to come in the coming days, weeks, and months.

Because of Him,

pray through it.

I love this man. I love this journey that we are on. It is definitely one that needs faith in Jesus to get through each day. But that's the fun part of giving up every little detail to the Lord. Thats the fun part of giving up every BIG detail too.

I truly believe that nothing I do is more profitable than praying scripture over my husband. Guess what. Today, is the first time I have really sat here and spent time doing it. The Lord led me to 1Timothy 3:1-7. I sat here and prayed over each attribute and prayed that it would penetrate my husbands convictions, character, and competencies.

We know that God's Word (the Bible) is Truth. Praying that our lives reflect the Truth is a way that we can be involved in our sanctification (becoming more like Jesus) process.

Thank you Jesus for allowing us to come before you, to ask for specific things, and to allow you to work and answer me with a yes, no, or later.

unlike any other.

We had our Women's Retreat last night for the church at Island Lake Camp in Poulsbo. Our community group packed the mini (van) and headed out at about 11:30. This was right after I got Chris all set up for his first 24hour stint alone with Siena. Schedule was printed out, food was made, bottles washed, milk thawing ;), and diaper bag packed. He put her in the stroller on our first 70 degree day in a long time and left to walk to Starbucks.

My ladies picked me up a few minutes later and we passed Chris and Siena on the way out. What a sweet picture of daddy pushing baby girl in the stroller. So sweet that it made me want to stay and not leave my little family. But I did anyway.

We took the ferry (I have pictures that I will post soon!) from Seattle to Bainbridge Island after picking up a few other women. The seven of us ate at a Mexican restaurant and then got ice cream at a creamery in town. I finally decided to look at my phone and saw that it had been on silent for the entire ride over. I also saw that I had a missed a call two hours before from Chris. I called him back and he began to tell me that Siena wouldn't take a bottle and was really upset. I could go on and on about the details of the little one refusing to eat but that really isn't the point.

The devil always tries to deceive us into thinking that we need to be in control. He tries to mess with opportunities to commune with God. He tries to destroy fellowship. But thanks be to God that that wasn't the outcome of this trip. After I talked to Chris my flesh told me that I wanted to go home and fix the problem. To feed Siena and to calm Chris' nerves. But I couldn't... I was hours away.

I am truly grateful that I was that far away. The teaching was so direct, applicable, and had perfect timing. Our campus pastor's wife did the teaching and she the first session was about Biblical Womanhood and the Spiritual Disciplines. I am currently reading the Spirtual Disciplines by Donald Whitney so it just reinforced what I feel like the Lord is already teaching me.

When I walked in the door this evening so ready to snuggle my baby bell who had been saying mamamama for hours and had barely eaten enough for a few hours in a full day - her little face lit up when she saw me and she began to jump and shake. I held her for the next hour, snuggling and nuzzling that perfect little baby face. I'm not sure that I want to leave her for a LONG time. It made me treasure my time with my precious family and the way that we came back together was a sweet blessing from the Lord.

This retreat was unlike any other in so many ways. Thank you Jesus for pastors and their wives that are willing to speak truth, retreats and the people that make it possible, a retreat that didn't cause a spiritual high but was just solid learning, my sweet husband who survived a day without me, my mama who held Siena today and tried to get her to eat, my friends who opened up about struggles and sin, my other friends who forgave me of sin when I asked them to, a baby who is peacefully sleeping in her crib at this moment, and a God who is teaching me abundantly more than I would have thought possible.

Praise the Lord!

dear siena.

dear siena,

Yesterday you turned 7 months old. You are an absolute ray of sunshine in my life. What a blessing from the Lord to raise you little one. It is such a joy to think that I can honor the Lord by loving you well and sharing the gospel with you. Your personality is coming out more each day now. You love being outside and our daily walks are one of the highlights of my time with you. We stop at look at flowers and I let you touch trees, bushes, and the dainty petals because you never have!

You "swim" on your belly when you are on the ground and can scoot in circles and up and down your crib. You say dada when you are happy and you say mama when you need something or are upset. You eat brown rice cereal, avocado, banana, pear, peas, green beans, carrots, and apples. I love my foodie girl! Lately you have been eating more and more.

You laugh when I blow on your tummy and your neck. You smile at me doing just about anything. You LOVE people and you always want them looking at you and then you smile huge when they do.

Baby Belle, I love you SO much. I can't wait to continue our adventures together.

love,
mama

KB

Dearest KB,

I love you. Although we all live in different cities and two different states, our bond has not changed. The other night that we were together was one of the most fun times I have had in a long time. You all three light up my life. You are an encouragement to me and to my walk with Jesus. Where have we come in knowing each other for six+ years and being best friends for three+.

The Lord has brought us each SO far. It is incredible to watch his work in each of your lives. At first examination, my heart breaks that I am so far from each of you (EVEN West Seattle is far when you compare three streets in PTown). But then I think and am prompted by the Holy Spirit to understand the true meaning of being far away. He has called us each to work and make his name Great. We met in college and had the same passion (sometimes having to be persuaded not only by the Lord but by each other as well) to be bold and intentional with the gospel. Now, we are all four finding out how to do that in the midst of different cultures; different from the other three.

What a great God we serve. That he would grant us such wonderful friendship. That it wouldn't end because we are far away. We have definitely been through our share of struggles, pain, tears, and discussions. But the Lord has brought us out of that stronger and more grateful for those friendships that he alone could create. I am so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for not giving up on me during my trial run as a mama. It definitely was harder than I expected but you three were intentional and loved on me even when I was really hard to love.

Can't wait for what the Lord has in store for each one of you & to be a part of that journey is truly a blessing.

Love you three.

~Meg

(That's what you get for a blurry iPhone pic)

Leap.

Happy Beautiful WEATHER!

Sun and 65 degrees today, I think YES.

I don't think I've mentioned here yet how different my husband and I are. If you know us, you know this is true. He is extremely outgoing, loud, energetic, tall, happy-go-lucky optimistic, and adventurous. I am more on the I-like-to-be-alone, quiet, tired, realistic, and homebody type. The Lord definitely had a plan when he put us together. My husband also plays the guitar (I know I've mentioned that) and shockingly enough, I used to sing in my junior high and high school's choir. I loved it. But I never tried out for a solo. Singing in the choir was enough. And that's where it stopped.

Last week though, my handsome man, challenged me to sing with him at our Community Group. I said yes. Without thinking. I usually sit next to him anyway (he tells me that it helps him stay on tune when we sing together) but this is different! It was a definite leap in my faith. It turned out well and people jokingly are saying we need a name for our "band". We did it again last night and I really enjoy it. Just one tiny glimpse about why all those characteristics that he embodies might be a tad bit worth striving after.

Another recent news item, our friend Jon is heading over to the Middle East on a summer project with Campus Crusade for Christ. If you know anything about the Knights, you probably know that Crusade holds a very special place in our hearts.

-Chris and I were both discipled by AMAZING Crusade staffers

-Chris and I both went on summer projects (totaling 4 together!)

-Chris and I met through Crusade

-Chris and I's best friends were made through Crusade

on.and on. this could go.

Anyway, the point is not us. Jon is having extreme faith and has heard the call from the Lord and is obeying. Thank you Jesus that Jon is taking a huge leap and listening to you.

When you go on a summer project (short term mission trip), you raise your funds, similar to when the disciples would be backed and funded by the local church to go spread the gospel in other regions. It is amazing and the Lord uses it for his glory. How can you help you ask? Why yes, I would be ecstatic to answer that little question!

Go here. & help send Jon to the Middle East to share the gospel (literally - $5,$10,$20 seem small, but if that is what you have available then use it! Of course you could also do larger sums like $50,$75,$100)

This reminded me of him this morning as I was reading the Word.

1Thes 1:2-5
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

My Mama.

My mama is a beautiful woman inside and out. She is the most selfless woman I have ever known. My mama delights in her children and each new thing that we have accomplished. There truly are not enough words to describe her and I don't think that anything I could say would do her justice.

My mama gave me life.

(The top left picture is of myself, my mom, my grandma,

and my great-grandma)

She played a huge part in giving me temporal life here on earth.

She played a huge part in giving me eternal life in heaven.

There isn't a better gift that she could have given me. She was the biggest influence on my meeting the Lord & loving the Lord. I am so thankful that the Lord placed her to be my mama and to bring me to himself.

Her walk with the Lord has an eternal impact.

Her morning bible reading has an eternal impact.

Her daily prayer has an eternal impact.

Her selfless love has an eternal impact.

Her willingness to share the gospel has an eternal impact.

Her faithfulness in a church body has an eternal impact.

& I am eternally grateful.

Twinsies.

I'm at a place of being content with the way that I look. It has been a HUGE struggle for a long time. But lately, my husband has helped me see something. Every part of us physically was created by our sovereign God. Our body type, our skin color, our facial structure - each designed by the Creator & each exactly how he wants it. I do believe that we are to steward our bodies because he gave them to us as a gift. But there is a balance between being healthy and being obsessed. Through this lesson, I have come to understand that I want to love and enjoy who I am.

One area that has been a struggle lately is how young I look. I know. I know. In 10,20,30,40,you name it years - I will love it!!!!!!!!!!!! But I am not there yet and so I don't fully understand the love that I will have for my young looking face. I got over this while in high school when people practically thought I was still in elementary school, and in college when people thought I was in junior high. But I am now a mama & people constantly ask, "Is that your baby?" And, "Is that your kid?"

So, in hopes of being transparent... I'll be honest and say many times I have replied with a tone that reeked of rudeness in my reply of yes. I get worn out and tired of hearing it. I want people to look at her and know without a shadow of a doubt that Siena Joy is my precious baby. But that's not where we are. And you know what folks? I have to be ok with that. The Lord made me with a young looking face and I need to rejoice in it because he made it that way!

Lord please help me to rejoice.

People also constantly think that SJ looks like Chris. Now, (I promise!!!!) I LOVE that she looks like my handsome hubby. But, sometimes I get a little jealous - remember that part about being transparent and honest. I am NOT telling you that my expectations or desires are Godly. But that is what I have been feeling lately. So, we need to battle those wrongful desires with the Lord and with the Word.

So here's the fun part.

We were at my mom's today as my great aunt was in town and the last time I had seen her was at Chris and I's wedding. While we were there she gave my mom my Oma's everyday dishes (GORGEOUS...I'll have to show some pictures soon... and I am a little jealous because the print is so beautiful). If you don't know - in our German family we call our Great Grandma's Oma... just a little tradition that I am forcing to be passed down as we go. She also brought me a vintage sewing book and my Oma's christmas necklace and earring set.

Just a side note: My Oma bought the earrings when her and Opa were out one year. Then for Christmas he surprised her with the necklace... What a sweet man.

Anyway, before this post gets disgustingly long, I opened up my baby book and this is what I found.

If you are just joining us, this is my sweet angel baby.

If I do say so... myself - I think we are a little bit like twinsie babies. If you have ever been in the same room as SJ - look at that little smirk I am making in the picture with Grandpa Don... TOTALLY SIENA JOY!!!!

This made my heart melt and I'm not going to lie, I am pretty excited.

24 reasons.

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!

Today is my sweet, loving, passionate husband's 24th birthday. Why yes, he was born on Cinco de Mayo. How sweet is that? Take a bit of advice, if you have a family member whose birthday is also on Cinco de Mayo & they also love Mexican food as much as we do - choose a different restaurant and hop on over to the Mexican place next weekend. We've made that birthday mistake before as everyone is getting their fajitas and margaritas on today.

Like I said, I love my husband - so I'll tell you a few reasons why.

1. He is striving to glorify Jesus in everything he does.

(This is one of the very first pictures that I took of him. I stared at this cute picture all the time...)

2. He loves me unconditionally (and there can be some tough stuff to love!)

3. He gets joy from Siena & you can tell by the way that he interacts with her.

4. He loves me enough to do things like paint my nails.

5. He plays the guitar.

6. He always has a song in his head & a perfect one for each moment.

7. He leads me well and by God's grace will continue to do so.

8. He snuggles me at night and lets me put my cold feet on him in bed to warm them up.

9. He loves what I cook.

10. He pushes me to take steps of faith and challenges me to do things out of my comfort zone.

11. He provides for me.

12. He makes me laugh by the silly things he says and does.

13. He accepts my obsession over ice cream.

14. He reads his bible every morning with his coffee and breakfast.

15. He loves adventures.

16. He appreciates weddings.

17. He reads and loves understanding new things.

18. He is a Coug.

19. He is a family man and desires to love and train our child(ren) to know the Lord.

20. He loves to stay healthy (much to my demise of loving fast food).

21. He runs. & runs with me (even a ten miler & I am slow!).

22. He loves me enough to take lots of pictures.

23. He's handsome.

24. He lives his life in a way that others look at and strive after.

I LOVE YOU CHRISTOPHER LEE!

1/2 a year!

Yes, it has been over two weeks since Siena Joy turned 1/2 a year old. It is actually really crazy that I have a 6 month old babe and that today she is actually closer to 7 months.

Here is her little 6 month old profile:

- Continues to be shy about rolling over and her favorite spot to do it is in her crib after naps

- Is now eating peas, avocado, green beans, banana, and brown rice cereal

- Is FULL of smiles

- Very interested in toys and grabbing things (even pinching skin)

- Growing back her pretty hair & has her little hair swirl again!

- Says adadada

- LOVES being outside and going for walks

- Is super interested in watching bigger kids

- Can nap almost anywhere we go & takes 2, sometimes 3 naps a day for between 45 mins and two hours each time

- Sleeps from 6:30pm - 7:30am (waking up around 1 & 4 - crying for a little bit and going back to bed, and eating around 6am)

- Smiles huge when she sees daddy

I love my sweetie pie. She is a bundle of joy and is such a blessing to our lives. Her personality has totally changed since she was a newborn and she is SO easygoing and loves playing!

Thankfulness (FINALLY!) #23 Dwelling in Joy

As we pray and thank God, we are filled with joy, and as we express joy, our hearts again turn to gratitude. Regardless of what is going on in our lives, we can respond with a heart full of joy because we know that our redeemer lives, that all things work together for good to those who love God, that our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us.

Joy is the natural response to such jubilant promises!

Job #23 - What are you most joyful about? Pray and ask the Lord and write it down & pop it into your jar of blessing!