Elsie's Dedication

In both of my pregnancies I felt such an awareness of God's hand in the creation of these tiny beating hearts. I was so aware that this is God's kid, and that somehow I have been entrusted to love, care and cherish this little life while teaching her the ways she should go. Sunday's dedication was a celebration of God giving us Elsie and a time for us to publicly profess that this little girl is God's child first. We promised to make sure that she knows of His great love for her.

Elsie was given flowers that she grabbed and made into petal confetti right there in front of everyone. And as we took in the words of the pastors, Ivar made his wishes be known by repeating, "Daddo. Go Upstairs. Play Play Play. Eat Donut."

Elsie was surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses driving from all over the cities to join our church for her special day. She wore a dress that I used to wear when I was her age and looked adorable. Special thanks to Auntie Sara who volunteered to change her diaper at the end of service, before any of us knew it was worthy of a costume change.

Sunday was also potluck Sunday. Which was awesome because potlucks are my favorite. I do love a good spread of fluffy jello salads. And it was a super handy way to feed the whole family after church!

(You can click here to see pictures from Elsie's baptism. And I wrote here about why Rory and I have chosen to both baptize and dedicate our kids. She is a very blessed little baby!)

Bible Reading Plan

Quite possibly the most important on my 2013 Goals List is a Daily Quiet Time. It seems nearly impossible with two little kids, but feels all the more important because of those same two kids. I have my Bible open now on a shelf in Elsie's room. Always open. And I have a plan too.

I'm going to try to read as much of the Bible this year as I can. I attempted this a few years back and stalled out in Jeremiah. I've been in many Bible studies since then, and always read bits and pieces. But I want to make this big goal again and try my hardest to see it happen.

I found a few reading plans that look awesome. One breaks up the Bible into 365 days of reading Genesis to Revelation. The other is a 52 week plan with two or three chapters a day from all over the Bible (pictured above) mixing up the Old and New Testament a bit. You can click here to see what I am talking about.  I'm so excited about this plan. So excited to jump around God's word each day, reading from a different book each day, listening for what our Creator has to say to me.

If you're interested in reading your Bible more...if you wonder what God would say to you if He had your ear for a moment, if you wish you knew the whole story and all that was intended for you before the fall, every rich blessing that has sacrificially been given to you, then join in. Print out the plan you like and start reading.

2013 Goals

I decided that this year I wouldn't make a resolution. Instead I made a list of things I'd love to accomplish. I sat up in bed one night and thought about each part of my life and what makes me feel fulfilled. I thought about life skills I've always wanted to learn. I thought about dreams I've had and never made happen.

The list got longer and longer and I got more and more excited. Everything felt possible. There were no voices of worry or fear in my head. So I wrote it all. The list has 59 goals on it. And in the end I decided that even if I accomplish a third of the list, this would be one incredible year. Resolutions just don't do it for me. Usually it turns the task at hand into a chore. But this list looks like fun.

And the best part: Since the clock struck 2013, I have already baked three legit loaves of bread. And I set up a spot for Grandma B's sewing machine. The tv has been unplugged and everything feels possible.

January 2

Nine years ago today Rory and I started dating. (And I didn't have a digital camera then. So this picture is from five years later...)

We both had our eyes on each other before January 2, but this was the night that set the rest of our lives in motion. This was the night that Sara was singing the national anthem at the Minnesota Wild hockey game. Lots of Groves family and friends were invited, and I was there for some childcare and to take in the game with everyone else in the box reserved for us.

I had heard countless stories of this successful younger brother, Rory. Enough to make me very, very curious. He sounded like he took work too seriously. Sounded grounded and moral and quality. I always say that I fell for his family before I fell for him. I knew every member before I met him. And I concluded that if this guy came from this incredible family, he must be incredible too.

So we met up at this Minnesota Wild game. Completely ready to meet the other. Emails had been sent letting us know that either of us were welcome to bring a date. Jokes were made that we should bring each other. And I held my breath. Neither of us brought a date. I was hopeful.

All night I kept my eyes on him. Aware of where he was. Trying to play cool. Eventually we started talking. And kept talking. And talked some more. And once I came up for air I realized we were being watched. Like by everyone.

I drove back with Troy and Sara and was asked what I was doing the next night. Troy gave me a heads up that Rory might be asking me if I was free.

It's a good thing he did. Because as we all met up at the house we carpooled from, everyone to get their own cars, Rory approached me in the driveway. But so did our future tax guy. And the three of us talked there, the future tax guy telling us a story while I waited for Rory to ask me out. I stayed and listened and waited an awkwardly long time until it was just the two of us, standing in a Minnesota driveway in January. And then he told me he was glad I stayed and asked me if he could take me out the next night.

And I said yes.

the best of 2012

I just spent some very enjoyable time looking through pictures from the last year. Oh my what a year! At the start of twenty twelve we lived in Minneapolis, I was two months pregnant, we still had our cat and Ivar wasn't walking yet. I cannot believe how much happened this year. No wonder I am still finding my footing...

So here, inspired by one of my favorite blogs, I give you the best of 2012 in pictures.

Happy New Year everybody! I'm really excited for the year ahead.

(And here is the best of 2011.)