JOhnny ApPleseed

With a pot on his head, apple in hand and a few seeds in his pocket, Isaiah went trick or treating to the two neighbors with lights on and to my grandparents and a few of their neighbors. We enjoyed the simple way in which we could engage some more of our neighbors as well as bring a little joy to my grandparents and their neighbors.

Kitchen Curtains

Clint's aunt Sharon came for a visit to make curtains in my kitchen and Isaiah's room. Thanks to her expert sewing skill, we were able to make curtains for four kitchen windows, three doors and one big curtain for Isaiah's bedroom.

Just by Himself

This is one of Isaiah's favorite spots in our home. Around nap time, he will sometimes disappear to suck his thumb on this specific step and look out the window, waiting for me to put him to bed.

Thanks to the Skougs & Dafoes

Sharing meals with family and friends has become a bit easier around here thanks to a dishwasher. Richard and Becky, Clint love his new dishwasher! Thanks for helping Clint bust out some cupboards Mike. And thanks for keeping me distracted from the chaos in the kitchen Jessin.

This Blog is Changing

It was never my intent to devote this blog solely to "cute kid" pictures, and that is what it has been this past year. But, fortunately, that is also what much of my days are filled with, the handsome Isaiah. For about a month, I have been struggling to come up with something fresh that would inspire me and after a week of scattered thoughts, a baby squirrel that I mistook for a rat is what inspired the new title. So, starting now, what I want to bring you is "What Brings Us Together," the intentional and sometimes seemingly accidental encounters with my community, my friends, my family, my neighbors and strangers. Isaiah will not be left out, but I hope to share the simple ways in which he too shows love to strangers on the street, his neighbors and his family.

I was washing dishes one evening, Clint was working a night shift and Isaiah was in bed and out my window, I noticed a gray animal with a skinny tail, squirming in the neighbors yard. Initially I thought it was a rat because of a previous conversation about rats with a neighbor. So, after rationalizing that it is best not to bother paging Clint over a "rat," I call my dad, but end up leaving a long and dramatic message. While leaving the message, I realize it is probably not a rat but a baby squirrel. I knock on the neighbors door so they can call their daughter who cares for abandoned or injured wildlife. She instructs us to find a small container... to fill it with grass... to nail it as high as possible onto a tree... and then place the baby inside. After Jack climbs a ladder to nail the container to the tree... as high as I could have done it from the ground... Audrey, wearing hair dying gloves, picks up the baby to pass to Jack. The baby is squirming so much that Jack passes it to me and I reach up to put the baby in its man-made nest. But before I let go the baby screams, leaps out of the "nest" and I find its mamma coming to attack me. While this was rather exciting, I was more excited to be working together with my neighbors Jack and Audrey. So simple, but this tiny squirrel brought us together. What I have noticed in the week that has followed is that the conversations with Audrey have increased, maybe it is because of the little adventure we shared or maybe it is simply because I entered into their space... I went into their yard, instead of talking over the fence. Whatever it is I look forward to many future gatherings, whether intentional or not.

Walking

At Dr. Luke's request, here is Isaiah walking. Thank you for the video Uncle Luke.

Happy Birthday Isaiah

Cliche, but true, this year has gone by so fast. Isaiah is 1 today and he has taught me so much about being a mom. One of the biggest discoveries this past year was understanding love in a new way. As I sit in the rocking chair each night with Isaiah I am amazed at how deep my love is, it is different from my love for Clint or my parents. I never understood how much my own mom loved me till I became one, too. But this new love for my own son made me realize how limited my understanding is of God's love for me. What an honor it is to understand more how incredible God's love is. It is a joy to spend my days with an energetic, joyful and curious little guy. This past year has been quite an adventure. Isaiah fits in our smallest kitchen cupboard, not only does he fit in, but he crawls in head first and turns around, wow.

From Iowa City to St. Paul

Leaving Iowa City was difficult. Clint has lived in Iowa City for 8 years, which is the longest he has lived in any one place; I live there for five years. We have developed many wonderful friendships and created special memories, which made for many tears as we said goodbye and reminisced about how God abundantly provided for our spiritual, physical and relational needs the past five years. It is always so exciting to see God at work around us and I am grateful he allowed me to see his Glory in Iowa City.

Clint graduated in May and is now a doctor. I am grateful for and proud of his hard work as a student, husband and father. After graduation, we pack up our apartment and drove to Des Moines where we lived with my family for four days waiting to close on our new home in St. Paul. We had to wait four more days at my grandparents in Stillwater, MN, but we finally got to move in a week after we had planned.

With the many changes in our life the past month, Jeremiah 29:11 has encouraged me.
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “The plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a Future.” Jeremiah 29:11

What an exciting adventure the past five years have been. I look forward to the one ahead!

More to come of our new home and trips to Branson and Florida.

Peek-A-Boo

Isaiah is sitting in Auntie Kels's lap, while playing peek-a-boo with Auntie Lolo who is to the left of frame.  He loves his aunts!

Yummy Dirt

Isaiah enjoyed playing and eating the dirt while Aunt Morgan and I started planting a garden at Kyle and Morgan's place. What a wonderful day in the sun and hanging out with Morgan. I hope this garden is as wonderful as we are imagining.

Swingin' with My Girlfriend

Audrey and Isaiah loving the swing and beautiful spring weather in Iowa City. We don't have much time left here and we are trying to make the most of our last few weeks. It will be sad to leave Audrey, Mike and Lindsey!

Moving to St. Paul

In the past month, Clint has matched at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, he has finished all his rotations at the university and we purchased a home in St. Paul. Above is our new home starting mid May. Over the past year, I prayed about the new neighborhood and community God wanted us to be a part of more than I prayed about what city. It excites me to see what God's plans are for us and the people's lives we will be a part of over the next however many years. My grandparents, Clint's cousins (and spouses) and my friend Megan and her new husband Aaron are all up in the area. It is wonderful to know we have wonderful family and friends so close to us. We are both nervous and excited about all the changes taking place and grateful for how God works out the details both big and small.

Crazy Camper

Just getting in some semi-nudie time before bed, I'm not quite sure how he does this but I thought it was hysterical.

Camping Trip

We finally went camping with Isaiah, well camping in a cabin with electricity and running water. We walked through the woods looking for deer sheds and wildlife, Isaiah rode the tree-swing with daddy, the men pushed Paul's car out of the mud and Isaiah helped daddy build a fire in the stove. The weather was beautiful and we all had a relaxing time with my family down at Morningstar camp.

Happy Valentine's Day

Giddy Up

Goofy Guy

We Miss the Dafoes

We had a fun time visiting Richard, Becky, Jonah and Elijah at their new home in North Dakota.

Minnesota

We got to spend a wonderful month living in Minnesota at my grandparents place while Clint did a rotation through a hospital in St. Paul. My grandparents we so gracious and hospitable to open their home and lives and change their daily life to include the three of us. It was such a blessing to see Isaiah light up "Bapa" and "Grama." We are praying that Clint will get his residency at St. Paul.

Long overdue

This post is long overdue, but finally, here are some random and adorable photos of Isaiah. From droplets of slobber on his chin, laughing with mom, playing with his friend Violet, having a quite serious conversation with his giraffe and posing like a little Dutch boy, Isaiah is changing fast.