Finley, Family & Thanksgiving

Well I am still not doing my best at blogging...I was keeping up very well with Facebook. But now we have decided we need to "give up to go up". So, out with the $30/month texting and out with the $40/month internet on our phones. Done. I tell you what, it is pretty freeing. I am not sitting around and just staring at my phone. We actually talk to each other lol. We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are here in Louisiana staying with Maw-maw & Paw-paw. Finley is the center of attention and we love it! We are so very proud of him!

We had our family pictures taken with mom & dad a few weeks ago and I wanted to show a few off so here they are...

Blogging with the cell phone...

well here is the deal I just wrote this great long blog about how amazing it is to be able to use the full internet on our cell phones and how I have no excuse any longer not to be blogging...then I held backspace down for too long and it all erased....pooo. Well hopefully you will hear from me more often...God bless!

More on the Maasai Tribe

Here are a few more pictures of the visit from the Maasai Tribe...Just wanted to give you all a look at what went on while they were here in Illinois... Take a look at their website. http://www.en-kata.com/
Part of the agenda of our evening of fellowship was for us to transcend our cultural and language differences and feel like family. We started the evening by going around and introducing ourselves, and sharing something that we are celebrating God for. Naidine - in the black shortsleeved shirt - translated for us. At points, the Maasai would translate for each other into Swahili and then she would translate for us. Very intersting.

After introductions we shared a traditional, home-cooked meal of ‘Ugali na Supu’, that Karduni, and the ladies made… and everyone tried it... It was basically cabbage soup with hunks of beef and a bread like mixture mixed with ingrediants to make tortillas. The guy in the stripped shirt and the lady in the white shirt serving are from our church and are now Missionaries to Africa nd are helping build the school. They are Jacob and Kim Mills.

They presented Pastor Hal (dad) with a “rungu” club. And Pam (mom) with cards of beautiful Maasai children, to remind them about the school in Maasailand!

In Tanzania, and in Maasailand, rain is such a blessing. It is also a blessing that they have been missing for years now. The En-kata Choir bowed their heads to pray for the rain to come to Orbili, Olerumo and Orkesmet.

Our New Friends - The Maasai Tribe from Tanzania, Africa

This weekend, Grace had a missions group in from Tanzania, Africa. They are a group of men and women from a Maasai Tribe who are missionaries in their country and are raising money to build a school for their tribe. They are amazing! I encourage you to check out their website: http://www.en-kata.com/

Here are some pictures

God is so good...we look forward to taking a trip to see them in Africa in March!

Big Apple Day

Some might think, as I said before, that a mother would enjoy blogging nonstop about her son and the new life her and her husband have...not so much. Not much time. So here is a catch-up blog...

Finley is now 12 weeks old! And a whopping 16 pounds! He is such an amazing baby boy! He eats well, sleeps well (most nights until 7am now) and laughs alot. He smiles almost constantly...except of course when he is hungry (most of the time he is hungry) or has a wet diaper. We took him for his first apple picking on Labor Day. It was blazing hot - but we had a wonderful day with the family. I can tell you... Finley was sweating, Daddy was sweating and the apples were ripe.

Life is so different but never would I have imagined a year ago that we would have a sweet baby boy in our lives now. God is so amazing and all we have to do is ask and He will give us the desires of our hearts.

Finley's Dedication

On Sunday, July 19,2009 - my dreams came true. My dad dedicated my child. I have dreamed of this day for many years. It was such a joy to hear the honor in his voice and the love and joy in his eyes as he looked at Finley. That's about all I can say about it - honoring and a lifetime dream come true!

Can You Hear Me Now?

This kid is too funny! Tonight, while at Jerry's last softball game of the season, mom and I were yelling loudly. Evidentally, Finley was not enjoying it and was trying to sleep. So, he decided to block us out by putting his finger in his ear. And, the funny thing is, he took it out after the game was done and we stopped yelling.

Now, take a look at this...

This week, we are in southern Missouri on a GraceOneighty missions trip. Jerry and I (of course) needed to come back to Illinois for Jerry to finish out the softball season. And, we are staying at my mom and dad's house. In all of the hustle I left the packnplay at the camp in Missouri - so Finley is sleeping in a laundry basket tonight - how sweet.

Cousin Arden-Grace

Just wanted to post these two pictures...

Here is Jerry with his sister, Angie and her daughter, Arden-Grace and with Finley, of course. And, then just one of the babies together... their first meeting. I am sure we will have more time to play in the future!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Last night, we had to the opportunity to take Finley to his first Cards game. And, boy was Jerry excited! Ever since I got pregnant, we have been talking about taking our baby to a Cards game. And, we did! We dressed him up in his Cards onesie, navy shorts, & sneakers, packed him in the car and drove to St Louis. When we go there, we strapped the pack on Jerry and loaded Finley in. Once Jerry started walking, Finley was out cold! And, he pretty much stayed that way the whole evening. Of course, we got the normal ohhing and ahhing by the women and people wanting to know how old he is and loving his hair. (He is 6 weeks old - man time flies!) As I said, he slept the whole time - except when he was startled by the announcer and the fans screaming. He is such an amazing baby! A gift from God! We are now looking forward to taking him when he understands whats going on - or at least can respond.

Finley with his new friends...

During the weekend of July 17 - 19, the church put on a 25th Anniversary celebration for my mom and dad being at Grace. It was very exciting! And, of course, Finley got to meet all of our family friends who came in for the weekend. So here he is with Mr. Ted DiBiase and his wife Mrs. Mel and then with Coach John Fox and his wife Mrs. Robin.

I tell you what...this kid is spoiled! And since that weekend - he wants to be held all the time. That's okay though - he's our sweet baby! We cannot wait for him to meet more of our friends!

GGUB

Well here is where Finley's name came from. This is my Great Uncle Boyd Finley from West Virginia. He is my granny's brother. About 2 weeks ago he was outside tending his cattle and decided he wanted to come meet Finley Leo. So, he got in his car and drove to meet him. He came to the church office, sat and talked to him for about half an hour and then left. Finley loves his GGUB (Great, Great Uncle Boyd)!

Our summer baby

Just wanted to post this picture of Finley in his sunglasses and swimsuit.

Here he is playing on his ocean playmat. He is getting ready to learn to scuba dive wth Nonnie. Finally she will have a scuba buddy.

Buc...

Buc, Buc, Buc... He is one of a kind. He had a rough time when Finley first came. He is getting used to him though and loves him dearly. This is his new sleep position that he seems to really enjoy. It is most amusing when he begins to dream and kick and flail his legs...don't you just love him! (Eventhough he is a little overbearing at times...)

The Many Faces of Finster

Life with a 5 weeks old baby is interesting. Things that are normal daily events - such as taking a shower - that just don't happen. But it is a great price to pay to have such a wonderful baby boy. He is so much fun! We love taking pictures of him and playing with him. He has started to smile when we talk to him or tickle him. We are only having one issue - we think he has acid reflux - so please be praying for him. We will get him checked out at his next appointment. So hopefully the doctor can fix it. Other than that he is wonderful! He smiles and coos and sleeps wonderfully - 8 hours last night - our new record! He makes the most funny faces too... If you have not met him yet - we can't wait for you to!

The Photoshoot

OK so this is sad... I thought that after having Finley I would bl0g, blog, blog. And, I was wrong! Life is a little crazy with a baby! But it is so much fun. Of course , having to come up to the church to my parents house to blog is a little difficult at times. But here he is, beautiful boy.

We had a some photos taken on July 5th by our friend Sue here at church. She did an amazing job! Enjoy! Everyone is doing well and we are loving life.

Buc loves his new brother...Finley loves his brother & his new friends

I tell you what, Buc is very proud of his new brother Finley. His is always concerned when Finley cries or coos. His comes running and then makes sure that daddy is fixing the problem. He is so gentle and loving. For this picture I just laid Finley on Buc and they both were great! Finley actually cried and Buc wimpered when I picked him up. Love for life!

Here are Finley's new friends Jude (he is with his mommy, Afton) and Landis. He can't wait to play with them! And then, here is Nonni with her wet pants ~ Finley decided to pee on her after worship practice on Wednesday night. It was funny - we had no idea where it came from...his diaper wasn't even wet! Boys, Boys, Boys.

And of course, like the proud parents we are, here is a picture of his first time in his bed.