At This Time Last Year

The other day as I stood at the kitchen window pouring myself a glass of water , I peered out the window...A flood of sweet memories came rushing back to me. Remembering a year ago today I was very much pregnant with our beautiful little miss Esther. I remember studying so hard that semester in microbiology and trying my best to concentrate, as our sweet little girl kicked wildly inside! I remember watching out the back windows into our yard and seeing all of Gods splendid creatures rushing about to prepare for their new little ones to come, just as I was "nesting"... I watched the robin family set on their brood of eggs, chicks hatching, then learn to fly and now an empty nest sits in the pear tree as a sweet reminder of...where I was a year ago today. I caught myself in a moment of Thanks, Thank you God for your beauty that surrounds me, for the gift of memory, for a home to rest my feet and head at night. Thank you for the amazing husband you created just for me! Thank you for 9 beautiful months (and 1 week) of preparing me for what You were about to so richly bless us with!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you...

We've started a few small projects/ hobbies around our home. With the ever pleasant weather we have been able to open windows to enjoy the fresh air outside. Jeff has started his vegetable garden and is so excited for the harvest to come. Healthy foods to feed our family include: Squash, green beans, peas, tomatoes, asparagus, bell and hot peppers, cantaloupe, onions, garlic, radishes, carrots, broccoli, and basil.

I've kept myself busy with classes and baby, of course but have also enjoyed an extremely thought provoking book! I enjoy reading and on the weekends, as Esther naps, I curl up either on the couch, back patio, or in the rocker quietly in her room to read. Along with this book, I have also been keeping a journal of thanks, my "eucharisteo."Ann Voskamp writes about giving thanks for the life she already had, and in doing so found the life she's always wanted!
" How do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does a life of gratitude look like when your days are gritty, long, and sometimes dark? What is God providing here and now?"  Such an inspiring book and I encourage you to read it...to find grace, joy and give thanks for the life the Father has so graciously given you!

One Thousand Gifts

A dare to Live Fully right where you are

Another fun project this month has been the setting up and preparing for a fish tank. We got off to a rough start with the onset of Ich. in the tank but have treated our little fishes and have been "trucking" right along ever since. Mommy, Daddy and even Esther got to pick out our favorite fish to watch in our tank (as long as they could be housed together. ie: no salt water fish in a fresh water tank and no aggressive fish that may eat other! yikes) I really enjoy the trickle of water the tank makes when the room is quite and the little fish swimming around. I think little miss Esther does too!

 Spring has been such a fun time to do things we all enjoy. And the warmer the weather gets, the more we'll be able to spend time outdoors.

At this time last year I didn't know what God had in store for us, what beautiful things He would show us! What He would open our eyes to after the birth of our first born. I day dreamed about what life might be like, if I would be able to love a child ENOUGH, or if I'd even make a good mother?! It's safe to say I'm a work in progress but man, what a work God has been doing in me!!! I can't imagine my life without Esther or without her in my arms each day...I'm addicted to this child in a way only God could have made me. In no way am I saying I know it all or that I'll always have the answers or that I will never make mistakes but I'm confident in my parenting abilities in a way only God could have made me. He's done so much and our family and in our lives, we've come so very far from where we were "at this time last year"!

THANK YOU

A Whole Lotta Love in Our Hearts

February marks the 8^th month of life for our precious Esther! Each day molds my heart into a soft gushy mess of love for my little family, but I wouldn’t change anything and look forward to what the next eight months holds for us.

LOVE?! That’s right, this is the month of love and we celebrated Esther’s very first valentine day…

February 14^th, Esther and I woke up to a sweet surprise in the kitchen…Daddy made us both breakfast. Esther had fresh fruits and oatmeal and I had our usual (eggs, bacon, toast and a cup of coffee and orange juice). As we entered the kitchen we each had an “I love you” balloon along with our own special collection of love from daddy!!!

Esther was so excited to find a plush puppy, cards and a new skill building toy.

Our morning verses for the day included:

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects always trusts, always hopes, always preservers…

I made fresh valentines cookies for the girls at the daycare and thanked them for all they do…next time remind me to make something healthier if there will be extra for ME to consume!!!

Many more exciting things have been brewing around our home…usually around this time of year I’m in full “spring” mode with this wonderful weather but along with that, this year, comes another month of milestones for Esther!

On valentines day, she started CRAWLING…although she would much rather be standing and shuffling around her music table or any large object in the middle of the floor, including but not limited to; adults, and dogs (Jacoba)! Esther also started pulling up on her own this month and is a ball of energy (So0o0o much fun).

Oh how they love each other!

Other special moments and milestones this month include:

• 1.) Swinging for the first time. Grandma Thompson and I made a trip to Babies"R"Us one weekend and couldn’t help ourselves…we purchased a swing to enjoy this spring and summer. I have a feeling this will quickly become a favorite in our back yard!

• 2.)    Clapping  and…

 

• 3.)    Signing the word “Mommy.” So far the only time Esther will actually say the word mommy verbally is when she is upset and WANTS mommy! We have no such luck at prying it out of her mouth otherwise. So for now I enjoy her signing my name (Mommy) while she nurses, is being changed on the changing table or quietly playing on the floor.

• 4.) Eating finger foods such as arrowhead cookies, bananas, and egg yokes 

             

A list of Esther’s signs so far include:

• 1.)    Milk
• 2.)    Daddy
• 3.)    Mommy
• 4.)    All done
• 5.)    Water
• 6.)    Ball

                                            

The weather this month has been gorgeous! With daytime highs in the upper 50’s and lower/ mid 60’s how can you not go for a day at the park?! We have enjoyed a family outing to the local park just down the street from our home and enjoyed soaking up the sun.

Oklahoma reached as high as 75 degrees this past week so we invited a few friends to come play with us that day. We always enjoy playdates no matter if we’re inside or outside.  And “Spring fever” is deffinatley kicking into full gear for me with such beautiful weather.

Jeff and I have been busy with work and classes as usual and want to thank you all so much for your prayers of support! Jeff will be enrolling this summer in classes to begin his masters program. I also found out that I was excepted into a summer vet internship on campus and was one of only six students selected for the summer course. We look forward to finding quality time...studying together! With only one more class to finish before completing my prerequisites, it is “full steam ahead” in the Gruntmeir house hold.

The Kitchen is where all the action is in our house!

Grandma Thompson and Esther

Silly face