Road Trip with Wrigley

Last weekend we drove up to Hawley, MN for a Graduation Open House for one of our Glory basketball players. We decided to stay the night in Detroit Lakes since they allowed dogs and it was a 4 hour drive. This was Wrigley's first trip with the family to a hotel...I think he rather enjoyed it. :) And so did we!

Blessed Mama

Today, I reminded of all the blessings the Lord has given to me. I am reminded of how precious life is and that God gives us this life. I was blessed to grow up with an amazing mom who today has become one of my best friends. I was blessed to marry into a wonderful family and gained a wonderful godly mother in law and sister in law. I was blessed when my brother married a godly wonderful woman. I was raised with two wonderful grandmas and Ben's grandma who gave their loving, godly examples through out my life. I have numerous aunts, cousins and friends who have showed me not only what its like to be a mom but a godly woman.

Not until March 17, 2010 did I truly know what motherhood would be like. I always new I wanted to be a mama and have 2 children (Lord Willing). March 17 was one of the best days of my life, getting to meet my little girl for the first time. I realized at that moment that God had given to Ben and I a precious life in our care. What it has meant to be a mom is much more than changing diapers and holding in my arms; its about making a disciple to follow Jesus Christ and glorify his name. After all, she isn't mine....she is the Lord's. Its a hard thing to grasp that she isn't mine but for now God has entrusted in me this precious life to lead her to bring to his Glory.

I am thankful today that I have had so many godly examples of how to be a mom and woman of God. This is a blessing not everyone has but I am surrounded by women who uplift me and encourage me to be the best mom I can be. The support I have had and the advice given are such a blessing to help raise my beautiful girl.

Our little girl is so precious. Each day I am amazed how she begins to grow and learn more. I am always astonished at what comes out of her mouth....mostly when it relates to Jesus. Her heart is so loving and forgiving. She is pure and she is magnificent. My prayer for her is that she will come to know Jesus as her personal savior.

I am blessed to be surrounded by a family who trusts in Christ each day. I am thankful for a husband who guides and protects our daughter; who teacher her right from wrong. I am blessed that Addy can know her grandparents and that the teach her about Jesus. I am thankful for her aunts and uncles who love her and pray for her. I am thankful for her great-grandparents who share wisdom and love. I am thankful for my cousins who visit her and pour their time into her. I am thankful for our friends that care about her and invest in her.

There are so many people who play a huge role in our daughter's life and I am so thankful for that. Today, I am blessed beyond measure. I put some pictures together from her first few days/months of life...Enjoy! Happy Mother's Day---May we remember the blessings that God has given us today.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” ... Proverbs 31:25-30

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke 1:41-44

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SWEET ADDISON ROSE!

Three years ago today, our little miracle was born. Addison Rose was born March 17,2010 at 7:50pm, weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long. She has grown from a little peanut to our strong willed, beautiful little girl.

Words from Mommy:
We are so thankful for our "big" girl. I have been so fortunate to be able to stay home with her and get to see each day how she grows into this marvelous young lady. I am astounded by all the new things she learns and everything she says. She is a wonderful helper...always willing to clean, help mommy fold clothes or cook dinner. She loves being by my side and I am so thankful for that.It reminds me of how important it is to always mirror Christ around her as she watches my every step. I hope that in each step I make I can point her to HIM.
 
Addy teaches me new things each day. I am reminded each day how blessed I am and how thankful I am to the Lord for giving me this precious gift. As we have struggled to get pregnant again, I am reminded, of just how precious life is and this life that was created by God in Addy has taught me of God's everlasting promises. Today, I am thankful to God for this sweet girl that he has entrusted to us to raise to be a godly woman.


Words from Daddy:
3 and 1/2 years ago, I was heading into the doctors office to find out the gender of my future child.
For years, I thought about having a son and all the things we would do. I always thought I wanted a boy first and that I would be sad if I it was not a boy. Fast forward 20 minutes and the lady says "its a girl." I wanted to cry, but not tears of sadness, no it was tears of joy. Its amazing how quickly your child becomes a "I don't care what gender it is, but please Lord let them be healthy"How amazing is the Lord that He changes the desires of your heart.

Fast forward even more, 2.8 years. I would not trade my memories of my little girl for anything in the world. People laugh when they come into my desk at the bank, because I have so many pictures of her up, people say "are those your daughters?"To which I reply "that is one girl *laughs ensue*...and she has daddy completely enraptured and completely tied around her little finger"
Now, my thoughts are not what I thought they would be. I play dolls and talk about Princess things. I would rather play dolls with my daughter than have a billion dollars to myself. My prayer now is for the man she will one day marry. That his father is teaching him to respect women, to love and to cherish them and to put God first in his life. I pray for the safety for my little angel. I pray for happiness and I pray for all her strife and sadness to be passed to me instead.
My life is complete. My women (Addy, Katie) are the joys of my life and I would not have it any other way.

 

So Happy Birthday sweet Addy Paddy! We love you, INFINITY and BEYOND!