Bliss

I finally feel complete again, having held the precious Tanyn in my arms. She's beautiful, gorgeous, the picture of perfection.

Our weekend was exceptional. Chris had to spend a good deal of time studying, but we're primarily grateful that he has a job for which he needs to study. On Saturday we spent a few hours at Lost In Fun, an indoor playground. What a fabulous place. All kinds of equipment for the kids to climb on and cause as much damage as possible.

We had family dinner at Red Robin for Giff's birthday that night...a seemingly simple arrangement that turned into quite an ordeal. We waited over an hour for a table, but were compensated quite well by a very generous management that provided fries while we waited and a smattering of free appetizers once we were seated. The kids were great, and until her second "break-out" Ella was compliant enough to stay in our small area. We left when Mia started rubbing her eyes so hard I thought she'd reach her brain and Ella tried just one more time to sneak out beneath the table.

I was lucky enough to babysit all four kiddos Sunday morning before we headed out to the cabin. We went sledding, tried to ice skate a little and had a wonderful meal with great company. It was so very good to be able to have the entire family together, crazy as it may have been. I have to admit I was the fun police for the first half hour we were there while Ella refused to put on her snow bibs and play outside before her friends arrived. Needless to say I was relieved to see the Harms clan come in followed closely by the Giffords. From that point on Ella played flawlessly with Mattie and Eli while Mia and Miles had their own little baby party.

We were obviously sad to leave but glad to have had the time to spend with those we love. We kept the Tesdahl kids on Tuesday after returning and save the pant-removal and pee on the play room floor it went remarkably well. I had planned to have them this morning as well, but came back from working out to find Ella running a fever. So we spent the day watching cartoons and playing quietly for the most part. She was apparantly feeling better early this evening though, cause I was no longer able to contain her and she went wild! So much fun.

I started Mia on Biter Biscuits....nasty gummy little things. She loves them! Chris is gone tonight, and I'm predictably wasting my time insteady of folding the heaping pile of clothes on my bed, or ironing the basket full of Chris's work shirts. Oh well....at least you can say you've been kept in the loop.

I've decided I hate the decorating in my house, so Chris got me a bunch of stuff for Christmas to try and make the house look as if an adult lives here. We have plans this weekend to paint and hang, and hopefully have a decorated abode at some point.

Chris is in Chicago next week so I'm hauling the girls to Lincoln for a few days of what will hopefully be rest and relaxation (and a cut and highlight for me)! Hope the last week has treated you all well....Hopefully I'll be back soon!

FINALLY (in so many ways)

I'm going to see Tanyn! I'm going to see Tanyn. More than a week later I FINALLY get to see my precious niece. I do so hope she has waited patiently for me. And I will NOT be sharing her with anyone during my visit given that the rest of you all have been doting on her without me. I CAN'T WAIT!

Though it's been a while since she's been here and I've neglected to post the pictures, Nana came bearing Christmas gifts we had to leave behind. The dinosaur Ball Pit is a favorite - She also brought matching valentine comfies for the girls.

Dad spent a full day with Mia a little while back and took some pictures of how happy she is with him. Mia has graduated from the bath sling...and as previously reported is willing and able to stand alone so long as she's given something steady to hold.And I apparantly missed the occurance of my baby girl growing up!

We babysat the Bargfrede children again, and they keep expressing how grateful they are...what a favor it is...blah blah blah. Honestly...It's great and we love it. The day comes and goes and while it is exhausting, it is also fascinating, suprising and always rewarding. The girls love playing with Delainey and Carson, and the big girls have started playing independently of me....which works pretty well, I can watch the babies nad keep an ear tuned to that fascinating pitch that is the screaming of a two year old.

Carson and Mia played in the ball pit which was lots of fun...
That is until Mia got a Carson foot in the face!

The ktichen became the playroom for the greater part of the day...

While it looks a bit precarious, I promise the children were safe at all times....and the highchair performance is a standard in our house. Turns out the babies are enthralled with it!Even when Ella gets a little closer than expected!

Did I mention I'm going to see Tanyn? I'm so freaking anxiuos I can't stand it. We not only get to see Tanyn, we get to see the rest of our family as well. Dinner at the cabin Sunday night, at which point I promise to take lots of pictures. Rumor has it the "cold-as-a-tile-floor-in-the-basement" snap is supposed to lift and the kiddos will get to sled, ice skate and otherwise cash-in on the beauty of having a cabin.

An interesting update regarding Chris...he's started drinking coffee. By which I mean we're all out latte-afficionados. We don't pass a Starbucks but we turn in for a drink. It's worked out well for me, seeing as I love coffee and not only have my Starbucks trips increased, but my adoring, capable, fantastic husband makes himself a latte every morning. Did I say himself? I mean, both of us! And Ella too (not really a latte, milk and sugar-free flavor sans coffee). It's a wonderous routine.

The next best advancement in our lives...and by next best I obviously mean...THE BEST---Mia is an all night sleeper! It's heaven. It took some work, and a few tough nights listening to her work it out at 1:30 am, but she took to it much quicker than Ella and seems to be better off for it. Here's hoping I haven't jinxed us.

Journey for a church

I've been having a hard time with "the church" lately. While I am completely submissive to the truth that I, too, am part of the church, and am thusly play a part in the imperfection of the church, I am seeking like heck for a place to call home. Just before leaving Texas, and by "just" I mean a few months, I found a place where I could seek God in my most raw form, a place that welcomed me with such wide, open arms, and with so much love that to this day I call Joshua's Crossing "my" church. However, I know with certainty that we are called to be a part of a community, and that being in a community of Believers actually requires actual physical fellowship with others. Which means I need a new church home.
My initial search in Fort Dodge was comical at best. I found myself at one point envisioning if it would be possible to jump over the back of the pew I was in and sprint for the door without causing too much of a ruckus (for the record I stayed throughout the service instead of attempting such an escape). After moving to Webster City I settled on a place about 20 minutes Northwest of town. It is an evangelical church with which I had a few fundamentals issues, but was willing to try out for the good teaching and fellowship. The fall Sunday school session began what turned out to be a slippery slope of frustration for me. The series was focused on how to "share Jesus with people in the workplace." It became apparent that the sole reason for relationship was to be so that you could share the gospel at some point. The most telling quote I think I can share with you from this series is "she looked very secular." I ask you....what the hell does "secular" look like. Judgement seeps from this statement and I started feeling like I was being asked to judge others and expect them to change. There was no loving others for the pure, raw reason that Jesus loves us and we are thusly called to love. Save for the few months that Chris went to Joshua's Crossing with me before he was shooed off to Arizona he does not attend church with me. The breaking point for me came when we were at Ella's Christmas pageant and Chris was approached by a member who said to him "It's good to see you here." As if finally he had made the "right" decision.
I have since been attending a church in the Northwest part of Ames that seems to seep love and acceptance. I am currently weighing the effort/reward factor of the 40 minute drive...less for the travel time and more for the obstacle it may place concerning our involvement in fellowship and non-Sunday activities.
I've learned a lot in my quest over the past year and a half, frustrating as it may be. Most importantly....God calls us to love. Unconditionally and unquestionably. That we are all worthy of love because God so chose to breathe the breath of life into our souls. By suggesting to someone that "God can change you" we are assuming something needs to be changed. And who am I to assume this soul that God created needs changing. Jesus never asked anyone to change, nor did he pass judgement. So I strive to do the same. I fall short more often that I succeed - but my quest is that I might see people through Christ's eyes, and love them solely because they are.

Tanyn Elise Anderson

Welcome!
She was born at yesterday at 10:09 a.m. 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long.

Mia's Milestones!!!!!!

I have new pictures but wanted to share a few things and don't really have the time for the picture editing/posting thing right now. Mia has hit some huge milestones recently. She is proficiently sitting, even sitting and looking around! It's opened up a whole new world of freedom for her in terms of playing wiht toys and watching the world around her.
She is also starting to roll with a little more vigor. She had rolled over both way a few months back but then stopped completely, stubbornly wailing until mom or dad chose a new position for her...lately though she's picked it up a bit more and will occasionally belly play if I lay her down on her back. She's also started flipping herself at bedtime and sleeping on her belly some....it's so cute! The first few times made mom a little nervous, but I'm getting used to it. If only she'd graduate to all night sleeping!
Also in the gross motor realm she is now able to support herself if she is properly placed holding onto a chair, the couch, etc. And we're working on pushing a little cart deal. She is much more partial to standing and "walking" than she is sitting, which makes mom's back a bit sore - if self-movement doesn't come soon I'll be hurtin'!!!
And finally...little missy has a tooth! It's a sharp jagged little thing that makes for an awful sensation when she chews on your finger, but it's there nonetheless. Looks like she'lll be munching nuggets and fries like her big sister soon!
Ella's good too, it's been freaking cold lately so we've put in a good few days of inside play...which is fine considering we're still trying out all the new Christmas toys. DeEtte came to visit for a few days last week which was great fun - she got to join us for our trip to the nursing home and see how great it is for the girls.
On a personal note I picked up a few "mom and baby" workout videos at Target recently and have been trying to get some exercise in with the girls. This has resulted in moderate success, but mostly in doing abs with the girls piled on my legs and pushups with Ella riding on my back. Holy hard! Lori Ulferts has got nothing on my girls!!!
Hope you're having great January's....Baby Anderson should be making her debut soon!!!! WE CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy crap that's a lot of pictures!

Pretty Much the Entire Month of December

I'd be remiss if I didn't open this post with an apology regarding the lack of recent updates. Apparantly I've been overtaken by the holidays...as it is now January 1, 2008 I get to start anew, however, and am back on board! :)

Lots has happened since my last spotting here - we celebrated Christmas and New Years and Mia hit a few milestones - most noticably sitting up! She still seems to be on track with Ella concerning hair growth, however, and we look to be raising a second fuzz head.

We traveled to both Wisconsin and Nebraska for Christmas, and though we spent a decent amount of time in the car it was time well spent and we are glad to have done it.
We had our family Christmas in Webster City on Wednesday before the "real" Christmas - The girls each got two toys - blocks and the "Busy Ball Choo Choo" for Mia and a toddler sized magnetic building set and a Doodle Pro for Ella. Ella loved it all and Mia was content to gnaw at whatever we put within arms reach of her! :) We packed up the car the next morning and headed out to Racine to spend a few days with the Hansens. We had a great time, and were able to spend a few relaxing days with friends and relatives. Granny and Grandpa, along with Scott and Heather lavished the girls with gifts...Ella donned a new outfit immediately upon opening it and properly littered the floor with wrapping paper, packaging and like items. It was a huge success! A suprise gift allowed Chris and I to leave the girls behind for an evening with Uncle Scott and Aunt Heather and see a movie and enjoy adult conversation over dinner.
We packed everything up Sunday morning and braved the windy roads, traversing the entire state of Iowa to spend Christmas eve and day with the Anderson and Gifford clans. Gran and Lucky were at my parents house to welcome our arrival to Lincoln Sunday evening. We were sad to not have been able to spend more time with our Venhaus family but look forward to an upcoming celebration sometime soon. Christmas eve day was a visit from E and lots of play time with Bergen. We went to early church and opened gifts that afternoon/evening. Again our family was increadibly generous and we are beyond words with gratitude.
Given the gift opening extravaganza on the 24th we were able to sleep in (a little) on Christmas day before brunch with Giff, Betsy and Berg. Christmas dinner was in Fremont at my Nana and Papa's with the entire Nebraska residing Gifford clan. The little kids were such fun to watch and provided constant entertainment for the adults. Well...the little kids and Frosty, who is inevitably at the center of the chaos! :) Thanks to Nana and Papa for having us, we love every second we get to spend with you and count ourselves blessed that you are in our lives.

With the Christmas holiday behind us we pressed on to New Years which we spent in Storm Lake, IA at the indoor water park. SO MUCH FUN! It was a great time spent with friends from in town and the girls were like little fish. Ella has taken to jumping in without an adult to catch her - although she sometimes forgets to wait for one to enter the water so as to retrieve her! We talked about making sure to tell a grownup when she panned on submerging herself in water deeper than she is tall....it went in one ear and out the other...Constant Viligance! Mia was a fab little swimmer herself - and has taken to the dunk pretty well. The slides were a favorite of Ella's as always. My favorite part was that I was able to go to bed well before the midnight bells rang as I always aspire to do and Chris was able to party with the adults until well after the new year began.

We're home now and are hoping to find some rest sometime - not likely! Wew are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby girl Anderson (due Jan. 23) and have a trip planned to Nebraska's capital city over the weeked of the 26th to meet our new little niece and cousin and celebrate Giff's birthday.

If the slideshow of pictures isn't yet posted, my apologies....tough to say when I'll get enough time to post the obscene amounts of photos I've neglected displaying in the past month...

God's Blessings to all of you and hope that you enjoyed your Christmas and New Year's.