And like that, the new semester begins

Well, we had an eventful and exhausting summer.  We went cave hiking, on a babymoon, had a baby, had grandma visit for a couple weeks to help with the baby, made 3 trips to Michigan and at least 3 trips to Cincinnati as well, had aunts visit to meet the baby, grandma and grandpa Ozburn visited to meet the baby, moved to a new house we are almost fully closed on and now finally things are going to settle into a bit of a routine.  I feel a little exhausted even talking about it!

The highlights of course of our summer were the birth of our wonderful daughter and the subsequent family visits to meet her.  It was so nice to have my mother here with us for a couple of weeks helping out and playing with Alythia.  It was so much fun also to have my sister-in-laws up for a weekend to spend time with us, meet Alythia, and really see our world for the first time.  We had such a wonderful time with them, I hope we make it a regular habit of spending time together as just the kids.  My mother and father-in-law also were able to make it up last week and it was such a joy to have them here.  They were so delighted to have some time with their very first granddaughter and I can already tell she is going to be a bit spoiled by her grandparents!  But, after all, what are grandparents for?!  They were able to be here for just 3 short days but it was precious time to be able to spend with them just hanging out and it was so wonderful for me as a momma to see Alythia with her grandparents.

it's a little blurry but it's so hard to get one with mom's eyes open

Grandma O was so enamored with her beautiful granddaughter, it made my heart so happy.  We were able to spend a day with them on campus and they attended chapel and one of Rob's classes.  As always, we wish we had more time with them, but are so grateful for the time we did get.  

We have entered another semester of seminary life now and with is comes the realization of how quickly time is flying by.  We are already into our 4th semester here!  I cannot believe that there is only this and two more until we are done with the MDiv.  This of course does not mean we are done with school but that this has gone by so quickly is something that still shocks me.  We have decided to see if we can make it work to allow me to stay home full time with Alythia for at least this next semester and have Rob work.  Thankfully, because of the internship he is participating in at Kenwood, he is only required to take two classes this semester.  After the 5 he took last semester I am ready for the change of pace.  I am truly loving my time with our daughter and am looking forward to being able to be more hands on and present in the next few months as well.  I am going to be taking one class in the Seminary Wives program studying a survey of the Old and New Testaments.  I am really looking forward to this class as it is taught by two seminary professors and should be more like a traditional class; notes, quizzes and the like.  I was concerned with needing to put Alythia in the child care in order to take classes but Rob will be home on Thursday evenings which will allow me to go and for her to maintain her schedule.  This certainly is a relief as I'm not sure I'm ready for her to be in childcare and I also really don't want her schedule disrupted one night each week just because I want to take a class.  I'm looking forward to seeing what I will learn over this next term.  God is so good in the way he provides for us, even in working out little things like timing for something we want to do.  What a privilege to study God's word alongside my husband as we prepare for what lies ahead for us.  I am often overwhelmed when I think of the graciousness of the Lord to allow us to spend time here learning and growing in our faith and in the knowledge of His word.

~Becky

Things I have learned

As I think I have mentioned a couple of times, and so desperately failed at so far... I am going to strive to post at least twice each week both to keep my mind working on being somewhat creative and to give myself an outlet for the various things happening in my life lately.  So please keep me accountable if you haven't seen a post in a few days as me what's up, or just comment on what I have posted to give me more to write on or a new direction to go, if that's your thing.  

So I've been a mom for approximately .2 seconds, or so it feels.  2 months really but man how did the time go by so fast?  Obviously I don't have a ton of experience but I have certainly learned a few things already.

1) You can never truly know what it means to love someone unconditionally until you become a parent.  You can certainly love your spouse or your parents or your siblings in something like unconditional love.  You certainly love them in spite of what they might do or have done to inevitably hurt you, however, truly unconditional love can only really be understood when the person or thing you love truly can give you nothing in return for your love.  In fact, instead of giving something to you, they almost are guaranteed to take from you, demand more of you and inconvenience you in ways you thought you never would be.  When someone does that and all you can feel for them is pure love, that, at least in my understanding, is what unconditional really means.  This is the way that God loves us, before we could offer Him anything, he chose to love us, in spite of the pain, inconvenience and demands that we would place on him as his creation, even to the place of pouring out the life of his own son to redeem us from our own rebellion, that I have realized can be understood most fully from the perspective of a parent.

2) I have learned the true meaning of sacrifice.  I now wake in the middle of the night, and have for 2 months, at the slightest stir from my daughter to ensure that she is nourished and cared for.  I am someone who really enjoys sleep.  I have often told Rob that I think that there will still be sleep in heaven, not because we will need it but because it is just so enjoyable.  I have never been an early bird or a night owl.  I prefer to sleep from 10pm till 9am every day.  And yet, I awake, joyfully at 5am to feed my daughter.  If she has a rough night of sleep, I am there without hesitation to comfort her.  I treasure the precious time I get to spend with her in the middle of the night, when she's sleepy and snuggly and I can just hug and kiss on her before I put her back down.  I am also an avid shopper.  Something my husband will never understand, I love to just browse and wander in a mall, looking at things and seeing if anything catches my eye.  I don't need a purpose and I have always enjoyed being able to buy something for myself on a whim.  Now, I debate whether or not I need something and give preference to getting something for Alythia rather than for myself.  I have spent more time planning out the perfect room and selecting the best things for her than I have on anything else in my life.  I love to care for her and provide for her, and one day when she is able to show a response to something I have done for her, that will be even greater for me.  To see her face light up when she sees something her mommy has done for her, that will be one of my greatest joys.

3) I have learned that relationships do not maintain themselves, ever, but especially when children are in the picture.  There are very few moments of just sitting down and talking, without something interrupting us.  Marriage always takes work, but with every new addition, there are new distractions that make planning even more important.  Now it is not simply planning for a date night or a fun getaway, we have to plan for intentional, inward facing conversation.  If we don't, we can end up going for several days without really talking to each other.  We may have spoken words, but real, heart to heart conversation requires planning.  This also requires a new level of sacrifice because our first instinct so often is to finally get some sleep, or to check out something online that we have been wanting to read but have not had the time.  Sadly our first instinct is not to seek out one another to connect with.  This is certainly a big lesson for me and I am still working out how to best show my husband that he is still my number 1 priority on this earth.

4) I have learned that my preconceived ideas that being a mom/stay-at-home mom would be boring and mind numbing were way off base.  I feel like I never sit down anymore.  Even when Alythia is napping, there are things to do.  Laundry to wash or fold, dishes to clean up, a meal to make, research to do, errands to run.  I have no idea how all of this got done before she was around because I'm sure I had more down time then but I can't imagine how.  As for not being mentally engaging, staying on top of how to teach your child and caring for them as well as keeping everything around the house in order, there is plenty of engaging things to keep my mind working.  I think I may be more mentally engaged than I was even when I was working!  

5) My greatest joy in the world truly is my family.  I can think of nothing greater than to help them grow and to teach my child/children about the Lord.  I never in a million years thought that I would be someone who felt fulfilled in caring for my family, but I have greater joy in caring for them and in doing my part to provide and nurture them than I have in anything else in my whole life.  My fulfillment in school, a career, even my friendships, pales in comparison to the contentment and joy I have in taking care of my little family.  Anyone who has known me for longer than a year should understand how radical this is for me.  Never in my life did I think that I would feel this way, and yet look at how the Lord works.  I am truly in awe of his perfect timing and gracious patience in teaching me.  

Have you learned anything in the stage of life you're at that surprised you?  Any insights you think might be helpful if you are a parent?

~Becky

2 months old

I am constantly in awe at how fast time flies!  My precious little Alythia is already two months old!  She is more beautiful and precious than the day she was born.  At two months she is full on with smiles and has really started to figure out her giggle too.  She laughs when we make silly faces and when she is tickled.  Much nicer than before when she would cry when tickled.  She still does not enjoy tummy time but is starting to try and move her legs in an effort to crawl when she is on her stomach.  She loves to play with her playmat how and bats at the toys and giggles away.  It's so cute how she cracks herself up with this simplest little things.  She loves fans, lights, mirrors (when she catches a glance at herself), bright colors and patterns.  She is interested in everything that goes on around her and very intently takes it all in.  There have been a few times when she got a little overwhelmed by it all and started to cry but most of the time she is the happiest little girl!

Happy 2 month birthday!

Alythia,

You are already two months old!  Mommy can hardly believe how quickly the time is going by.  You are such a joy to my heart and your smile makes everything seem better, no matter what the circumstances.  God has blessed us richly with the gift of you.  This month you were pretty busy.  You went on a road trip up to Michigan and met lots of aunts and cousins on mommy side of the family and one of daddy’s aunts and her daughters.  You got to meet your great grandparents and they were so thrilled!  Your great-grandpa was so taken by you and great-grandma could hardly stop staring and smiling.  You are so loved!  When we got home your aunts Kristen and Kelly came up from Florida to see you and stayed with mommy and daddy for the weekend.  They had so much fun holding you and playing with you.  Maybe someday you will have some cousins for you to play with.  The next weekend mommy and daddy took a little vacation with you up to Cincinnati to relax before daddy went back to school.  We drove up for the day and you were finally able to meet grandpa Stoming!  He was so happy to meet you too.  He couldn’t stop smiling and watching you and you were pretty taken with him as well.  We had dinner with one of daddy’s cousins who lives there as well.  On Sunday, your 2 month birthday, we decided to go to the Reds game after church and you got to watch your very first baseball game.  The stadium gave you a certificate and everything.  You did so well with all of our adventures!  You had a little trouble sleeping at the hotel the first 2 nights but I think it was because you don’t have much experience sleeping on a flat surface and you were in a pack n’ play for the first time.  You got the hang of it by the third night and slept right through till almost 6am!  You are getting so big!  You love to stand on mommy and daddy’s legs and will stay standing for over a minute each time.  You can also push yourself up from squatting with a little motivation.  You’re not so crazy about tummy time yet though I am really trying to get you to push up on your arms to you strengthen them and are able to crawl.  We have been somewhat consistent at reading you a bedtime story and have been working our way through a children’s bible app that daddy found for you.  We have been reading in Genesis about Adam and Eve and Noah and the flood.  It’s so fun to watch you look at all the pictures and someday you will begin to understand the stories.  We pray that you not only understand them but believe that it is God’s precious word to us and accept Jesus as your savior.  We pray for you every day that you would grow to know and trust him.  Things will settle down now for us as daddy is starting back to school full time in a couple weeks.  I look forward to all of the time I will get to spend with you and to watch you grow.  You are such a treasure, my child.  Mommy and Daddy love you so very much.  Happy 2 month birthday!!

Some of my favorite photos from this month. 

~Becky

Family Time and Road Tripping It

Wow, this has been a whirlwind of a week (or just over) for us!  Last Friday, after R finished up his research paper for his summer class, we headed up to northern Michigan for a surprise birthday party for my aunt Jeanne who turned 85 last Saturday.  My family had asked for us to try to make it up so that they could all meet Alythia.  We used it as good motivation to get some quality time with both of our families.

On the Road!

We made it in around midnight and crashed with my mom in her RV.  Saturday morning we got up and went out to breakfast with my previously mentioned aunt, two of my cousins and my mom and sister at The Blue Heron where I worked in college.  One of my favorite places and top on my list of restaurants I want to introduce Rob to.  After breakfast we dropped my cousin and aunt off at home and went up to see if we could help with the party preparation.

A couple of my cousins were responsible for the planning and execution of this event and they did a fantastic job!!  The party started at 4pm and both family and long time friends of my aunt were in attendance.








We had some yummy food and tons of desserts, it really isn't a family party without at least one if not two tables of desserts.  They had also set up a photo booth of sorts and we all took some fun pictures.

After the party we headed back to the RV and voted for a campfire.  It had been cold and gray all day, perfect for a fire and some marshmallows!

Sunday morning we got up and went to the church I grew up at with my mom.  It was nice to see a few old faces.  We went to lunch at a new little cafe called After 26 Depot, a restaurant started by my sister's old special education teacher and teachers assistant after they retired.  It's a place where their old students, who graduated at 26, could work and earn some money in a real work environment.  They serve as hosts, busers and dish washers.  While there we were able to see Alice's old teacher, Ms. Bloomfield, and I can honestly say I have not see Alice smile that big in at least a year!  She was so excited and happy!  I'm so glad we were able to make the stop.

The three of us headed back down state after lunch to Grand Rapids to see some of Rob's family and some dear friends of ours.  We were able to spend a few hours with Rob's grandparents and introduce them to their great-granddaughter.  It was such a precious sight!

We went out to dinner with Rob's aunt Karen and cousins Lauren and Lisa and had a wonderful time catching up with them as well.  They took us to a new little restaurant in East GR called Harmony Brewing Company.  Fabulous pizza and some great local beer as well.  Our thing Grand Rapids is known for is its local breweries and they make some fantastic selections.  Finally we headed over to my dear friend Stephanie's for the night.  Monday morning we had plans to go see Rob's dad as well and headed out fairly early.  Things didn't go quite as planned but all in all it worked out ok.  We were able to spend Monday evening and most of Tuesday morning with Ben and Stephanie before we needed to head home.  Alythia and Stephanie's 4 month old daughter Lillyanna were able to meet and spend some time together.  This may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship... :)

It is always a short visit when we see them but I always leave refreshed and encouraged.  We have known each other for 23 years and it truly is a friendship that can go through anything.  No matter how long it has been or what the circumstance, we pick right up where we left off and it's as though no time has passed.  These friendships are few and precious and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such a wonderful lifelong friend.  I pray that there are many more years of memories and that our daughters might even grown up to enjoy just as sweet of a friendship as we have.

two generations of friends

Treasure the friendships you have been blessed with because true friends are hard to find.

Do you have a friendship that you treasure?

~Becky