Holiday Recap

Obviously I'm a little late for my "holiday blog post" but here it goes anyway

*Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas and I realized that there's nothing quite like waking up to

Kicks on Christmas Morning

...kicks that bring with them the anticipation, joy, and dreams of new life...

Despite the business of running from party to that party, we really were able to enjoy family and friends and celebrate the true reason for the season. It was a beautiful Christmas and I can't wait for our little one to experience it first hand come next year.

*New Years 2011

Brady and I rang in the New Year with our much anticipated

Omaha "Babymoon" getaway

This weekend was a much-needed weekend away and we had an amazing time with just the two
or shall I say three of us :) We bought the last "big items" for our little boy's nursery and can't wait to get everything arranged just so.

*Baby Update

Our favorite "Christmas present" of all was the follow up ultrasound we had of our little boy on December 28. He is growing well and was actually measuring ahead of schedule. We were able to see his precious face and to say it brought tears to my eyes is a definite understatment. We praise God for our little one and can't wait to meet him in a couple months.

I think he looks just like his Daddy already and I'm so in love...

Blizzard Bliss

This weekend was supposed to be our buy-baby-stuff-plus-finish Christmas-shopping-Omaha-getaway. In preparation the house was cleaned Thursday and Friday night was spent getting everything ready. In the way back of our minds we knew there was a chance of some "weather"but we remained positive and hopeful of going. We woke up Saturday morning, Brady looked out the window and said "Yeah... we probably aren't going anywhere" This was confirmed when he took a little drive across town and couldn't see a thing.

Thanks to the gail-force winds and 9+ inches of snow, travel was not advised to say the least.

The bummed feeling didn't last too long as I was once again spoiled by my chef-husband making me a delicious home made breakfast that seriously puts Perkin's to shame :-) He's the best.

Despite "no travel advised" thanks to 4-wheel drive and my non-scaredy-cat-husband I did make it out to my parent's house to enjoy some Christmas baking with my Mom and Sister. The morning and early afternoon were spent making marshmallow balls dipped in caramel and rice krispies, ritz cracker frosting cookies dipped in almond bark, holiday wreath treats, sugar cookies, and star cookies to name a few. We had a little mishap with the garage door somehow being left open for quite some time which resulted in a blizzard in my parent's garage and a few choice words being thrown. It's funny now.

I will admit it.

I had a nostalgic feeling that afternoon.

My Mom, Sister, and I were scurrying around in the kitchen licking out batter bowls, nibbling on some left over chocolates while finishing up with baking and cleaning. My sister and I failed to keep our growing baby bumps clean as they somehow got cookie batter all over them. My Dad, brother in law Lee and Brady were all having some male-bonding time watching TV in the living room.

That's when the feeling overcame me. The "all-the-stars-are-perfectly-aligned-and-life-is-oh-so-good-be-sure-to-take-it-all-in" feeling. I couldn't help but think, this has to be exactly what God had in mind when he designed families. The blizzard somehow took away the normal hustle-bustle of everyday life and we were forced to get back to basics. This resulted in a day I will remember for years to come, a day where I felt incredibly blessed with the hand-picked family God gave me.

Brady and I did venture back home again and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening bundled up staying warm and cozy on the couch. Words can't describe how much I loved being snowed in with my two favorite boys and sweet puppy Maya. It was a lazy, relaxing day full of taking naps and sipping on hot cocoa and munching on freshly made goodies.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my life?

Turns out being snowed in was just as fun, if not more fun than our planned getaway.

What I Love About You

already.

You give me a reason to constantly be smiling.

Feeling your kicks, swooshes, and rolls in my tummy makes your Mamma's heart giddy (and Daddy's too!)

You are my constant reminder of how fragile, precious, and beautiful life is.

You have caused your Mommy & Daddy to fall even more in love.

You make me dream baby boy. Will you have dimples like Daddy? Will you love chocolate as much as your Mommy? I can't wait to meet the person God created you to be.

Pictures by 'Picture This Photography'

Happy Thanksgiving

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Hoping you find yourself surrounded by those you love the most this Thanksgiving Holiday. Remember to take time to step back, look at all God has blessed you with, and give Him thanks.

It's A ...

BOY!!!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:13-15

You are such a little stud already. Your Mamma and Daddy loved watching you on that screen for an hour and a half, you are beautiful. The ultrasound tech warned us that we might have our hands full since you wouldn't hold still for long enough for her to get all the pictures she wanted :) You are already our little 13 ounce rock-star. We have never been so in awe, or so in love. We praise God for you little one.

We're Halfway Baby!

The thought was once again sparked in my hard-to-concentrate- ever-wandering-pregnant brain.

Pink or Blue...

However, the context was anything but baby related. It was marriage related. The thought was sparked during our second session of studying the DVD series "Love & Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs with 8 other couples from our church.

Needless to say, it was hard for me to focus on pink and blue in relation to marriage while feeling my now 20 week old baby 'jamming out in my belly' the entire time.

We hope to find out the baby related pink or blue verdict on November 16... 9 short days away. I say "hope" because our child could already have some of its mothers 'spit-fire' personality in it and decide to keep it's legs crossed and keep us in suspense for the next 20 weeks. I am frequently asked if I have any "maternal instincts" as to what gender the baby is. The short answer is "no". The medium answer is that what I think changes by the hour (currently feeling just as much pink as blue). I will spare you the long answer. (Count your blessings!)

Why do I find myself in such a hurry to find out? Why do I wish that time would move along faster some days? Why can't I just live in the moment and enjoy the one in a million feeling of my baby dancing in my belly. I will never again be 20 weeks 1 day pregnant with this child. I need to savor every day of this miracle. I know I am going to look back on this time and wish it would have slowed down and I'm going to kick myself for wishing it would go faster. Truth is pink or blue related to pregnancy really doesn't matter. God already knows and what God chose is right and perfect and we will find out in His time not ours. Whether that is in 9 days or in another 20 weeks.

My point is this. Savor the mundane, think of what you would miss if it were gone. Enjoy every minute. Look for the beauty. Realize just how fragile, precious, and beautiful your life is. Bask in God's goodness and glory and thank Him for everything, always.

Halloween Bliss

Problem: It does not work to dress up a 19-week-child-in-utero for Halloween

Solution: See images below

You may think I'm crazy, and that's fine with me. I think it's hilarious.

And I bet you laughed, or at least smiled :)

"Goodnight Moon"

The two of you already have a favorite book.

Your Daddy loves to read you a goodnight story before bed and that brings tears to your Mamma's eyes.

I'm not sure who likes storytime more, me or you little one.

I can't wait to see the two of you together. I daydream of it daily. I daydream of outside peanut-butter-and -jelly-picnics and of long stroller rides together. It's the simple things that mean the most to him, and that's what makes him so great. He is so proud to be your Daddy already. You will be proud to call him Daddy too.

He loves giving you good-bye kisses thru your Mamma's ever-growing belly.

He loves to rest his hand on that same ever-growing belly in hopes of feeling absolutely anything. I think he would leave his hand there for hours in hopes of this. (Secretly your Mamma can't wait until the day when you are a little bigger and stronger and you give him the kick of your life through my belly, then we will laugh and your presence will be made known!)

We have almost reached the half way marker and we can't wait to see your beautiful face again. Last time I counted (who am I kidding, I count everyday) we will see you again in 28 glorious days.

Life

I don't know when exactly it hit me, but it did.

A sort of slow-motion-sucker-punch-blow-to-the-gut.

Got my attention none-the-less.

Maybe it was my pregnant shadow starring back at me tonight while Maya and I enjoyed the red and orange leaves crunching under our feet with the cool breeze in our face. Maybe it was the fact that I got to hear my 17 week old babies heart galloping away again today. Or, maybe it was the text I got from my giddy-hearted husband who's "playing farmer" tonight with a good friend that stated the money he earns farming is going in our baby fund. He is such a proud Daddy already. Maybe it was the good reports baby Van Meeteren received at the 21 week ultrasound. Or maybe it was the sweet email I got from a best friend that's literally thousand of miles away yet remains so close to my heart.

Regardless of what exactly it was, it hit me.

You know that feeling in your life when you look around and can't help but smile because you realize you are living the life you've always dreamed of? If I could bottle up that feeling and sell it, Lord know's I'd be a millionare. Anyway, that awesome feeling of pure happiness, contentment, and joy filled my heart today and that is exactly what "it" is.

If I'm honest, before today I had been feeling more anxiety, worry, and "what if's" as the past few weeks have been filled with life changing news regarding my precious nephew Jude. Honestly, I wish I had half the strength and faith his Mommy and Daddy continue to show. I can't help but finding myself thinking about the fact that God works through willing people. Wade and Alissa are the definition of willing. They are exactly the type of people God would use to further His kingdom. I'm not sure they know the impact they've had on me in the past weeks.

I'm learning not to take one day, one hour, or one second of this life forgranted. I'm reminding myself to take a step back, look at the big picture, pinch myself when I realize all the blessings God's given me, and take it all in baby.

Thank-you Wade, Alissa, and baby Jude for showing me the real beauty in life.

The three of you are the reason "it" hit me tonight.

For that I'm so grateful.

Welcoming...

the second trimester

New Adventures

I'm learning to flourish outside of my comfort zone.

And, oh, does it feel great.

God has laid it on my heart to take on some new adventures in my life and I am already loving each and every one of them.

Adventure #1 - teaching first grade Sunday School

We had our kick-off last Sunday and my heart was giddy to meet those littles and teach them about the amazing love of our God. I'm pretty sure they had the same giddy hearts as they can't wait to learn. Children of all ages are such an amazing gift of God. I'm sure they will probably teach me more than I can ever teach them, the faith of a child is beautiful.


Adventure #2 - being a counselor/helper with GEMS group

For those of you who don't know, GEMS stands for Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior and is an all girls church group. GEMS includes girls in 4th through 8th grade. I will be helping with 6th grade. We also had our kick off for this last week and even though it "rained on our parade" (literally, NOT figuratively) we had an awesome kick off that was a huge success. I am looking forward to getting to know these beautiful girls and walking beside them in their life and walk of faith.

Adventure #3 - Brady has joined the praise team at our church

I am so proud to be married to such a talented man of God willing to use the gifts God has given him.

Adventure #4 - Another year of Firm Foundation Couples Group

Last year was our first year joining this group and it went very well. We are excited to get going again this year. We had our kick off Sunday and have chosen to do the DVD series "Love & Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. We meet once a month for bible study and also meet once a month for a fun activity. It is so great to be a part of a caring church group as we can all relate to each other and pray for each other's marriages and lives.


I Corinthians 12: 4-6
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men"

Baby's Second Photo Shoot

My little peanut,

I already love you with a depth that I didn't know existed. Your Mamma was so happy she got to see you again and oh how you have grown. Your beauty took my breath away once again. I think you are going to be quite the little entertainer because you certainly stole the show on that screen doing barrell rolls in my uterus and holding you hand up by your face like you were waving. I couldn't help but think you were saying "Hi Mamma, love you!"

And, oh, my peanut, how I already love you too.
















My prayer for you, little one, is that you continue to grow right where you are.

Your Mamma and Daddy can't wait to meet you in March.

It's been said...

" A picture is worth a thousand words"






And oh, my friend, my heart is brimming with thousands of words.

Words of thanks for answered prayers.

Words of feeling so awestruck that God would choose us for this child, to be his/her Mommy and Daddy.

Words of never having felt more joy in my heart, in our hearts as a couple.

Truth is - Baby, I am already so in love with you.

To date we have had two good appointments and were able to both see and hear the little heart beating.

Oh yeah, and it already has arm and leg buds...simply amazing.



I'm fully embracing and loving all of the pregnancy symptoms I've been experiencing. I haven't made it through one day without a nap so far, and haven't made it through one night without having to get up to pee at least once. Never did I think I would be thankful for nausea, heartburn, or mood swings either, but oh how I am.

They are a constant reminder of this beautiful life growing inside of me and I will embrace that.

We are asking for your prayers for our little one. Pray that God's will be done. Pray that this child continues to grow and thrive inside Mommy and that if it is God's will we will have a healthy little newborn to craddle in our arms come March.

Vacation '10

We were blessed with another fun vacation to Osakis, MN with the Kroeze side this year. The "littles" were all at such great ages this year and Brady and I ate up every moment we could having them around. They are such a blessing. Here are a few highlights.

Live.

Tomorrow we leave for the annual Kroeze MN lake vacation.

Hence our master bedroom looks like this:


And our kitchen looks like this:



... A lot for a self proclaimed type A, everything-has-its-place-perfectionist to handle.

But then I realized, I don't have to have it all-together at all times...God loves me at my weakest, just as I am, just as He created me to be.

And that my friends, is beautiful, and that makes life worth living.

The following Point of Grace song 'How You Live' lyrics came to mind when I was having the above thoughts. I challenge you to listen to lyrics and make this your prayer as well.

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress, use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes

And have what you want
but want what you have
And don't spend your life looking back

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it

Lookin back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what ya did, it's how you live.

So, go to the ballgames and go to the ballet
Go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children, dance with your wife
Tell you husband you love him every night

Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away, oh no
Just face it and you'll be okay

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances and let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it

Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it not who you knew
And it's not what you did it's how you live

Oh wherever you are and wherever you and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

So, give to the needy and pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So, think of your fellow man

And make peace with God
And make peace with yourself oh yeah
'Cause in the end there's nobody else

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it

Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did, it's how you live

'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did, it's how you live



Life is beautiful,
dress accordingly.