Think tables overflowing with casserole dishes, steaming crock pots, platters of meat, baskets of bread, and desserts of all types and deliciousness. Think Christmas Banquet, Thanksgiving Dinner, Labor Day Picnic, Memorial Day Picnic–each an annual “potluck opportunity” at church. I can still remember the feeling of anticipation I had as a kid on the evening… Read More The Church Potluck: Rules of Engagement
Every year we observe Christmas and celebrate the advent of the Christ-child. This Christmas is completely different for me. I know I’m not the only person to have welcomed their first-born son right before the Christmas season, but being Silas’s mother has given me a fresh look at what it truly meant for Jesus to… Read More Contemplating Baby Jesus
Love Adoration Smiles Cries Grandma Cuddles Yawns Furrowed Brows Mommy Kisses Napping Daddy Playtime Growing and Winning Our Hearts!
Once upon a time when my mom was expecting my older sister Rebekah, Mom-mom Hilda was convinced that the baby was a boy. She even bought Mom a little boy Christmas outfit. Of course Mom didn’t have a boy that first time (as Rebekah was born), or the second time (me), or the third time… Read More Mom-mom Hilda to Mom to Me
Yes, we finally did it. We finally visited Sedona. Ever since moving to Phoenix, our friends and acquaintances have been telling us how beautiful Sedona is and how we need to go visit sometime. Last Saturday we drove up to Sedona for Silas’s first family outing. It was even better since my mom was able… Read More Sedona
Getting to know this little stranger who entered our lives, our hearts, and our home 16 days ago has been life-changing. While expecting, we longed to meet our little boy and to hold him and kiss him. Now that he’s here, we’re learning his faces, his noises, his preferences, his habits. What a cutie! Silas… Read More Growing Our Love for You
Silas and Grandma Manka met for the first time this past Wednesday. It was so sweet to introduce our son to my mom! I have so been looking forward to my mom’s arrival. Knowing that Mom was on her way to care for us and to share in our joy really helped me get through… Read More Grandma Is the Best!
Who knew that furniture stores had Halloween sales? I found that out this year. We’ve been wanting a table for our kitchen that seats more than 2 people at a time. In fact, we wanted one that seats 8. The weekend before Silas was born, we ordered our kitchen table. Silas was delivered before the… Read More Table Delivery
Each day we marvel at the gift God has given us in Silas. The miracle of birth is a beautiful manifestation of God’s goodness to us. While we long to be perfect parents, we know that is an impossibility. Still, as Stephen told me the other night, we desire to parent Silas as God parents… Read More Beginning Parenthood