Learning to share

Two nights this week, I had to work late.  This is a rare occurrence for me.  I know not many working moms would feel sorry for me.  I confess, I am usually able to leave work about 3:30.  There are days I can stop at the store and still pick Pinky up by 4:00.  I love this part of my job!

Two days this week, I didn't get to Pinky until 5:30 or later.  I don't know how others do it.  I absolutely dread the days I have to work late.  I cherish every last minute with Pinky.  I live for the evenings and weekends with my girl!  And the guilt I feel when I am not with her can take my breath away at times. 

Last spring when Pinky was about 8 weeks old, her auntie Carman was holding her and asked me if I wanted her back.  My response:  "I always want her . . . but I am learning to share!" 

This hasn't changed.  I want to be with her all of the time.  I want to be the one that changes her diaper, gets her dressed, reads her stories, comforts her, plays with her, laughs with her, and rocks her to bed at night!  I do.  I am selfish that way.  I'm still learning to share I guess. 

Fortunately for me, I have wonderful people to share her with.  Of course I have to share her with her daddy!  And her grandparents couldn't love her more.  Her aunties ask for time with her.  The women who care for her at daycare every day couldn't take better care of her.  This is a good thing!  This is such a blessing! 

That doesn't mean it's easy.  That doesn't make days like today go any faster.  However, days like today force me to share! 

Oct. 2010

Birthday Girl!

We have a Birthday girl in the house this week. 

I can't believe how fast the year has gone and how big she is! 

Ready to party!



YUMMY! 

I can't help but think about all of the fun we have had getting to know our little girl in the last 365 days!  She still loves her nuk and snuggling with soft things.  She's still a mover and a shaker, only now we can add climber and escaper to the list!  She still loves to eat and can now sign "more" to let us know she's not done.  Books are one of her favorites right now, but she also enjoys wooden spoons, baby dolls and teddy bears, and playing peak-a-boo!   Her smile continues to light up the room and our lives!

Here's a little look at Pinky's first year:

Pinky's first birthday (1-10-10)



Baptism day, March 2010

Happy Easter

4 months old

1st trip to the lake, May 2010

Sidney Montana, June 2010

Little Farm Girl, July 2010

Beach Babe, August, 2010

Our little pumpkin, Oct. 2010

1st Halloween, Oct. 2010

December 2010

Christmas Morning, Dec. 2010

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl! 
May you always know how beautiful you are and how much you are loved! 



Happy New Year!

What a difference a year makes . . . We really felt that this Christmas! 

Christmas 2009:
We stayed in Fargo for Christmas . . . waiting, as patiently as we could, for Pinky to arrive.  It was one of the few Christmases neither of us were home with our families and it was hard.  My sister and her family were here in town, but their house was full of change, as she had just arrived home with their oldest daughter, and were adjusting to life as a family of 7.

My parents and brother celebrated with a few family and friends, but for the most part, it was a pretty quiet Christmas on the farm.  And Cory's family was also scattered about.  A snowstorm hit the state and kept us all close to home, but far apart, Christmas Day.  Not at all what we are used to at Christmas.

My family was finally together for New Year's, when we celebrated a belated Christmas.  But first, my mom had to undergo her final chemo treatment New Year's Eve morning.  We joked that she had her New Year's "cocktail" early . . . but in all honesty, it was a huge (HUGE) day for us after a long fall of surgery, chemo, and doctor appointments!

On New Year's Eve, after the kids were in bed and the clock had struck 12 . . . we sat around and shared our "highs" and "lows" of 2009.  Our highs were high in 2009, but our lows were low . . . and for the most part, we were ready to start a new year . . . with hope for a healthy and happy 2010! 

Christmas, 2010:
We were ALL HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!  And it was wonderful!  My family was all together on Christmas Eve.  We enjoyed candlelight service together, although this year I didn't light my candle . . . It's not safe with an 11-month-old!  Cory's family celebrated Christmas Day . . . and both of his grandmas were with us!  The 26th, we were all at the farm for a sledding and early birthday party for Pinky.  And for the next week, we enjoyed our time with our families (with the exception of the days the stomach flu hit!).  We listened to our favorite Christmas CDs, played games, watched movies, played in the snow, ate our favorite holiday treats and drank lots of "snowman soup" and  pots and pots of coffee.  It was wonderful!

New Year's Eve, we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday at the farm with friends.  It was a "super" night . . . celebrated "super hero" style.  We ate "super foods", drank "wonder"-ful drinks, dressed in our own unique "super hero" style, and laughed the night away!  One of my nephews declared the party "awesome"! 

At the end of the night . . . or beginning of the morning . . . we sat around and once again shared our highs and lows of 2010.  Our lows were low, but didn't feel as low as they had a year ago.  And our highs felt even higher.  Ours of course was the birth of Pinky . . . and every day since has been one high after another.  She is a joy . . . and it was an absolute JOY celebrating her first Christmas with our families!

God has truly blessed us in 2010.  We look forward to many highs in 2011 . . . and know God will help us through any lows that may come our way.

Happy New Year!

Grandma and Grandpa with the kids in Church Christmas Eve.

Pinky snuggling with Grandpa GB and Grandma Margo

An early birthday party for Pinky

Happy New Year & Happy Birthday Grandma Karen! 

Snow fun!  (This is shortly before Pinky fell asleep in her sled!)

First time in the hay loft