One month!

I took these pictures on the 24th to celebrate Elizabeth being one month old. I just didnt get around to posting them until now, as I had some many other things to share. :)

Unfortuantly, the precious little thing celebrated her one month birthday with a face full of acne, so I don't think any of these pictures will be blown up on a wall anytime soon, but you can see how she is growing.

Sisters

Grace is still totally in love with her sister. It is super cute. I can't wait until Elizabeth can start interacting and the real fun can begin!

Grace the photographer

I let Grace use my old camera the other. She loved taking pictures of her sister.
So in case you were wondering how Grace see's the world, here you go. No editing or anything.

Family picture

This was taken for the church dirrectory. Elizabeth was one day short of 4 weeks. Aren't we adorable? And well coordinated, I might add. :)

Birthday Celebrations

September is always a busy birthday month. Particulary the second week, with Gunnar's birthday on the 9th and Maria's on the 11. I wasn't sure if I was going to be up to partying this year or not, but I managed to pull it off.

For Gunnar's birthday (the big 35 on 09-09-09), we decided to go to Corvette Dinner. This was mostly becuase when we had gone in July, Grace was mezmorized by the servers singing and dancing happy birthday to the people sitting near us and asked if we could come back for someones birthday. It just so happened, that we had to go to Best Start that day for a follow up appointment, so we decided to go, since we were already in the neighborhood. We were joined by most of my family (minus Daniel who had to work) and Gunnar's dad. The food, shakes and most of all, the company were terrific.

The birthday boy

The birthday girl

Grace enjoying all the birthday festivities

Grandma Ta and two of her adorable grandaughters

The group, minus Michael and Dick who had already leftOn Maria's birthday, there was a sing-a-long sound of music party. If you have never been to a sing-a-long Sound of Music party, you should go (or host) one. It was even more appropriate for Maria's birthday, for obvious reasons.

My dad went all out and made an awesome program. I think Kevin might have helped a bit with the picture. How awesome is this?

Tell me you aren't humming "How do you solve a problem like Maria" now. :)
I didn't take too many pictures, as I was exhausted. But here is one of Grandpa with the cousins. I took a bunch of pictures, proving that getting three little girls to look cute in the same picture is near to impossible.

Maria Elizabeth with baby Elizabeth. Such adorable girls!

Happy Birthday, Mom

I posted this on my mom's birthday last year. I thought I would repost it, as it is still true, and I am too tired to be that eloquent this year.

I would add that this last year has been one of great suffering on my mom's part. I won't go into it all, because that would take too long and I am typing with one hand while nursing a baby! But through it all, I've seen her turn to Jesus and continue to reach out to those around her. No matter how much she is hurting she always will reach out to help however she can.

All that being said, if you know my mom, please reach out and wish her a happy birthday!!
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Today is my mom's birthday.

I could go on and on about how much I love my mom and how wonderful she is (becuase she is), but I thought I would share two things that remind me of my mom very time I hear them.

The first is Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

I think when you start out being a mom (as I am now) you don't really know how things will turn out. I think my mom tried to follow the Bible and the parenting principles as best she could not knowing then what would happen. Whatever she did worked, and her kids "arise and call her blessed". All four of us dearly love and respect my mom. All those long hours she put in raising us have not gone unappreciated (although I am sure none of us know the full extent of the sacrifices she has made for us) I hope that I can follow her example of a wife and mom devoted to her family. I hope that Grace will know that I love her as much as I know that my mom loves me.

My mom has prayed for me faithfully every day of my life. She has prayed for my future children. She prayed for for my future husband every day as I was growing up, and now continues to pray for Gunnar. I know my life, and that of my siblings (and our spouses and now our children) have been so much better because we have had someone loving us and praying for us faithfully our whole lives.

The other thing that reminds me of my mom is a song:

It says:

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

When I see these words I can hear my mom singing them. There is absolutely no question in my mind whatsoever that my mom believes this with her whole heart. So many of the sacrifices my mom has made (and there have been many) she has done because it will be worth it when she sees Jesus. My mom lives her life with an eternal perspective. I know I am not alone in saying that my mom's passion and love for Jesus has been a huge inspiration, blessing and encouragement.







Mom, there is no way to properly thank you for all you have done. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. We all love you so much!

Elizabeth's baby shower

The ladies from Valley Baptist Church put on a wonderful shower for Elizabeth. We got a lot of wonderful gifts, played fun games, and had a great time hanging out. Some ladies from the Chapel, our last church, came up as well. We had a great time together.

LadiesGiftsGame playingThe guest of honor
Opening giftsMy girls
The Hilton/Hanson girls after the party