God's Faithfulness in 2008

Looking back at 2008 brings tears to my eyes! God was so faithful to us, even when we doubted and tried fixing things on our own. He provided an amazing job for Jess, where she can be home with Emma more. He opened doors for the band to sign a managment contract. He provided for our monetary needs towards the end of the year, when Ben's job wasn't going well. He even provided the same job twice for Ben, which he's doing now (second shift). We can not help but be AMAZED at how God has worked in our lives. Emma is healthy and growing up so fast...we can't believe she's going to be 3 this year and potentially going to school.

We're excited to see what 2009 will bring...
-The Band is recording their full-length album this weekend in MN!
- We may be able to move because of Ben's job
- We'll probably be able to pay off some debt, if we're smart
- Ben's being used at work...his first day he was able to share his faith...so awesome!

Be praying for us! It's definitely not easy working opposite schedules, so we're praying for some vacation time mid to late summer...don't know where, but something would be awesome! =)

Merry Christmas!

Emma checkin out her digital camera...yeah, it's real...(our landlord got it for her)

Making Birthday cookies for Jesus

Opening presents at Opa and Nana's

Anahi chillin on her fluffy dog

Looking at the art Auntie Em made for Emma

Sharing puzzles w/ Anahi

Gramps giving his little princess yummy's

Opening presents w/ Gramps

Opening presents w/ Grandma

We had a pretty crazy Christmas with traveling! It was great celebrating with everyone though! We are so thankful for our families! We are truly blessed! This year, Ben and I decided not to travel until Christmas afternoon, so we were able to have Christmas morning to ourselves. God was SOOO faithful in providing presents for Emma. (Totally not what Christmas is about...but God cares about the little things!) Most of her presents came from "leftovers" from a Christmas store they had at Harvest for all the families that are hurting with the economy, etc. One of my friends grabbed a bunch of stuff for Emma! It was such an awesome blessing! Then we went to WI and were blessed with all the other gifts given to us. Thanks to everyone! We love you tons!

St Nick's and decorating our Christmas tree...

We've decided to celebrat St Nick's w/ Emma since we're not doing Santa on Christmas Day. Ben and I really want to emphasize Jesus on Christmas because He's the reason we celebrate; throw Santa in there and it can get confusing. Ben never celebrated Santa when growing up, his family actually made a birthday cake for Jesus and sang to Him. I really want to make that a tradition for our family. My parents would say gifts are from Santa, but I don't think I ever really believed. I'm excited to focus on Truth, especially during this season. We're still decorating and giving gift, but focusing on the best gift of all: JESUS! While decorating the tree (Emma helped this year), she found her Tinkerbell ornament and wouldn't let us put her on the tree. We have video of her running away and saying "no Tinkerbell on tree". Shortly after this, she dropped Tinkerbell and her leg broke off. We had to glue her back on and she's now on the tree, safe from Emma's grasp.

Playing outside in the snow

Emma LOVES playing in the snow! It's been so cold here though, well pretty much everywhere else too! We've taken her out a couple of times. Her gloves don't stay on, so we next time we need to duct tape them around her hands. Hopefully we'll be able to make a snowman before winter is over...if it warms up! There are a couple of family photos that we took for our Christmas cards...enjoy!

Overdue Update...November 2008

We went to WI for Thanksgiving and spent time with our families. We had a blast! It was great to see Emma playing with her cousin and not getting as frustrated. They sat on the stairs and read, as well as twirled in the other room. We'd all of a sudden her giggling and a crash; they got so dizzy they would fall over. Ben and I went to the shooting range with Ben's sister and her husband. It was quite the experience! I affectionately called the gun I liked "easy squeezy" because you didn't have to pull the trigger to hard for it to fire; if we ever get a gun, I'd get one like that. (Don't worry, no one needs to be afraid yet, I'll get more accustomed to shooting before ever owning a gun.) Then we spent time in Brown Deer w/ my dad and Maryann. (No pictures) We got to see Maryann's daughter and her little guy. Emma and Matteo got a long great! It's nice to see Emma getting along with kids younger than her...who knows when number 2 will be coming. (Wink Wink). Then we spent time with my mom; Emma loves going to Grandma's because she always gets presents, even when it's not Christmas or her birthday. Grandma Karen is a spoiler, but no harm in a little pampering now and then. All in all it was a great visit!

Emma reading her books on the floor!

Ben was obsessed with the fire

Me and my husband w/ his "No shave November" mustache

Emma loved spending time w/ Anahi!

Attempt at a Christmas Picture...Emma was not excited

Erica and I waiting for our turn w/ the gun!

Ben being BA!

I mean business...don't mess with me!

Ben's friend Patrick...he's in Iraq (be praying)

Coloring w/ Grandma

Getting Ready to be a giraffe!

Trick or Treat...Here I come....