To all our family far and wide and friends close to our hearts but far from our sides, we love you and miss you and are excited to share last months milestones and adventures!
So, last month marked the end of my spring semester at OSU. I finished with a 4.0 GPA with a lot of hard work and studying! The two classes I enjoyed the most this spring included Organic chemistry and animal nutrition.
After finals were complete I quickly started my new research position at the Vet school and am excited for the opportunity to learn, research and gain valuable experience throughout the next year. I am currently working on several specialized tests on antibodies, managing the lab and orders and maintaining our labs rat and mice colonies. Jeff and I have also been able to meet a wonderful friend who has been training me in the lab and is currently working on her Post Doc. and is far from home (Australia). We have been able to help her settle into her flat and make her feel more at home just a little more each day!
Other plans for my so called "summer break" include:
- Beginning an internship at the vet teaching hospital on the 4th of June, where I will be expected to follow cases, report and write papers over concepts learned in the clinic.
- Study for the GRE and then take the GRE by the end of July
- Plan Esther's 1st birthday...WOW...
- And APPLY FOR VET SCHOOL! (Applications open mid June and close in October)
Needless to say, my plate is quite full for the rest of the summer months.
Jeff continues to work at the vet school himself, under Dr. Little, and still very much enjoys his job there! He finds time to garden each day and is very proud of his fresh veggies he has collected for his family.
Of course I've known for some time now but I just want to say it out loud...to the world...I have such an UNSELFISH husband who is loving, devoted and supper supportive in everything that I do!!! I have accomplished so much because of his unselfishness and just adore how he encourages me each and every day to follow my dreams while he lends countless helping hands and cherishes being a father! So0o0o0oooooo...for that, thank you baby for your commitment to me (and Esther), because without you I couldn't have come this far! Jeff and I will be celebrating our 5th year of marriage this month and look forward to many more amazing years to grow in our marital walk with Christ and set an example for Esther.
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as
dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us
and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
~ Ephesians 5:1-2
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
~ Proverbs 22:6
On a "different note," it's time for us to introduce the newest addition to the "Gruntmeir pack"...After a 90 day probation period Jeff is finally (although much to his dismay) allowing me to announce MY exciting news..hahahaha
We welcome Buff (In the Buff) Gruntmeir! Long story short, Buff's previous owners were no longer able to care for him and thus gave him to the shelter. He was sent to OSU to be neutered and vaccinated and one of our friends quickly texted me a photo of our beautiful boy! You see, I have always wanted a Chinese crested and after a long wait, he is finally where he belongs...In our pack. He is such a sweet sweet boy!!! WELCOME Buff...
Ok, now on the GOOD stuff! Esther...
She has grown like a weed and just matures right before our eyes. She is going to start her transition from the nursery at the daycare into the toddler room throughout the month. As parents we are very nervous but also know that the teachers there are very good and work hard to make the transition easy for the little ones. Esther has dropped her "baby naps" and only naps once a day now, right after lunch time. We hope to be fully moved into "toddler land" by her first birthday.
Our first Easter with Esther was last month and we enjoyed family time that Sunday at our home for lunch (all the little girls in the house had matching dresses this year). The month of April was busy and flew by but here are some photos of some of the fun and new adventures April held for us...
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| Esther's first Carousel ride! |
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| Great Grandma Friesen is helping her read her book...and boy does Esther love to read! |
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| Silly faces and windows... |
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| We have 8, going on 9 teeth in that mouth! |
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| We always enjoy a day at the park and friends are ALWAYS welcome!!! |
Her SIGN vocabulary includes:
- Ball
- More
- Eat
- Dog (this is her favorite)
- Mommy
- Daddy
- Milk
- All done
- Fan
- Mommy
- Daddy
- Uh-Oh
- Blue
- Bu (Book)
- Ba-bah (Jacoba)
- Duh (Dog)
My very first mother's day was supper special and perfect! Jeff, as always, helped me to relax, we ate a special mother's day dinner at my parent's house where dad took a few mother's day photos before we parted ways.
My life has changed so much since the birth of Esther Ruth and to feel the love of a mother first hand is definitely somethings wonderful! I can't imagine life without her in it and am so very blessed to be a MOTHER to one of God's perfect gifts!!!
Thank you Lord for entrusting this gift, that You alone created with your own hands, to Jeff and I...May You guide us and teach us to raise her in Your loving image. ~Amen
