Monday, June 30, 2008

God is Good all the Time

Some of you may not know that, since November, Jonathan has been out of full time work. But God has totally provided. He is good.

During a 40 Days of prayer series at my church, Jonathan and I decided to pray specifically for his job situation. As I recall, we asked for God's timing and a specific salary amount. After 6 months or so I thought the answer had come. Jonathan had an interview last Tuesday for a position he was interested in. This was followed by a second interview on Friday morning. The second interview ended with a job offer! The salary amount was $2,500 more than what we asked for. God is good!

Around 7:00 Friday night Jonathan got a call from his potential boss. His boss, in his enthusiasm, prematurely offered Jonathan the position. He had to talk to a few more people and get back to Jonathan this Monday or Tuesday about the offer. Around 5:00 last night Jonathan got the call, the offer was no longer on the table. The position had been "re-scoped" and he was no longer qualified. This made for a not so joyful evening.

Now, I'm the type of person who tells people things so they'll feel sorry for me. That is not why I am making this post. Right after Jonathan got the initial offer I was calling people and emailing people, telling them about God's provision. Now, after Jonathan's job offer has been taking away, I need to continue to tell people about God's provision. He is still good....this job was just not in His plans for us. I know He will make a way.

"Rejoice always;
pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Here is another example of God's goodness:

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Three Months!

Today is Abigail's three month birthday. She is growing so fast! I've been telling a lot of people that being a mom is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. This week was especially tough. I feel like I have been living out lessons learned from my church's James series (A Life Well Lived). I have especially related to the sermon "My Way, Thy Way" that talks about the verse that says talks about those who say "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow..." (James 4:13-14a). I tried making my plans with Abigail (tomorrow I'll put her down for a nap at 10 and then at 2 and I'll be able to do this and that) but they did not work out at all. Last week the sermon was on the P word: patience. My patience was tried this past week as Abigail and I struggled during her feeding times. Anyway, the big lesson I need to put in to practice is that: yes, this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do SO, I need to not try to do it on my own and depend on God!

Happy Birthday Abigail! I thank God for you! Here are some 3 month pictures:

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

It's Been A While

It has been a while since we've made a post. Abigail is doing well. She is growing like a weed! Today she spent the day with her cousins Mark and Ryan. We had a great time. When we first arrived Abigail went on the floor with Mark. Mark started crying, then Abigail started crying. Once Abigail started to cry, Mark stopped crying. Once Abigail stopped crying, Mark started crying. So, they took turns crying. Then they were both fed ;-)

Here are some more fun pictures of Abigail.

Abigail with her cousins Mark and Ryan



Can you spot the Abigail?



This was after a rough evening

Monday, June 16, 2008

Happy Father's Day!

This Father's Day is of course Jonathan's first Father's Day. I must say, he is off to a great start. I already think he is a wonderful Dad and know that this will continue throughout Abigail's life. I thought I'd post some pictures exhibiting how great a Dad Jonathan is:

Abigail is no match for Jonathan's shoulder. Jonathan often helps lull Abigail to sleep each night or in the middle of the night if she does not fall asleep after a middle of the night feeding:


Here Jonathan is reading one of Abigail's favorite books God Must Really Love Colors. Abigail seems very into it:


I am so thankful for the husband and father Jonathan is. I don't know what I would do without him. I thank God for him!.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Father's Day Photo Shoot

[Here it is Joanne] As you may recall, Jonathan and Abigail gave me a very creative gift for Mother's Day - my very own comic book. I tried to be creative for Jonathan's Father's Day gift, namely his card. So, I dressed Abigail up and had a little photo shoot. Here are the pictures I incorporated into Jonathan's Father's Day card:

Front of Card:


Inside of Card (which read, "Saving a seat for the best Daddy in the whole world!!! I cannot wait to watch Hokie football with you! Happy Father's Day!):


Thursday, June 5, 2008

Two Month Appointment

Abigail had her two month appointment this past Tuesday. She weighed in at just under 12 pounds (11 pounds, 15.8 ounces to be exact). She is now 23 1/4 inches long.

Some of you may know that the two month appointment is the time when babies get their first round of vaccinations. Abigail got stuck with three needles. The nurse was very good and was able to give Abigail her vaccines pretty swiftly. However, I have never seen Abigail's face so beet red before, she was not happy. We were able to comfort her pretty much right after it was over. Overall, Abigail reacted well to her vaccines. She did have a fever a good 24 hours or so afterward, but as of this morning that fever is history.

Abigail has been smiling a lot lately. The other night I realized that we didn't really have any pictures of her smiling, so here is one I took Tuesday night:

Monday, June 2, 2008

Abigail Meets Nana

This past Saturday Abigail got to meet her Nana (great grandmother) for the first time. We were only able to get one picture of the two of them together because Nana only held her briefly (Abigail was fussy) and because we happened to arrive at Nana's lunch time...