I just love her...

I have a better understanding now of how much our Heavenly Father sacrificed when he sent his only son to the cross. My heart has never been so full of love fo such a tiny little person... I can not imagine, nor remember, my life without her. We praise God for her every day... our special little blessing. : )

A few more pictures

Mom and daughter meet... what joy!!!


First Sunday dress... church really wore her out!

What????

So much has happened in the last two weeks, that I am sure if you looked closely you could see my head spinning. At 36 weeks and 2 days, our beautiful daughter, McKinley Rae, decided to make her appearance!! Apparently she'd heard her mommy talking about not wanting to be pregnant anymore, and decided to do what she could to help make me more comfortable. What an obedient girl! I won't detail the events here now, that would just plain take to too long, and I know what you really want is pictures... (plus I'm tired and ready to go to bed) : ) So without further adieu, I would love to introduce you to the most precious little girl in our world:

McKinley Rae

Born July 11th

Weight 5 lbs 13oz

Height 18 inches

Our family at 35 Weeks

I thought you might enjoy a photo of our whole family! Plus, this is the nicest I have looked in awhile... I actually did my hair and had make up on... not that you can really tell in the photo. It's funny... I just really don't even recognize myself. I know that's me... but man... I sure look different! ; )

And here's the belly photo. She's really getting big! Only a few more weeks. We've had a trend at church of all the girls going around a week early. Let's all pray that I continue that trend! I am so ready to meet our little girl... and to not be pregnant anymore!!! : )

Family

It was a great 4th of July weekend for us. We spent Friday and Saturday working on the baby's room and getting little projects done around the house. Then we spent Sunday with Jeff's family... celebrating a very special birthday for Diane and spending time with some family friends. It was a good day! Since we aren't doing the regular Sunriver trip this year, I thought it would be a good idea to take a family photo since we are rarely all together at once. Unfortunately, Addison was taking a nap when Grandma decided it was time to go... so we had to snap this shot minus our smallest member. But here we are... one big happy family! I love you all!

A New Chapter

Well, today is the first day of the rest of my life! I guess that is really true on all days, however, today is special. Today is my first day as a Stay At Home Mom!

Now, I don't have a baby outside the womb to care for just yet, but that will come soon enough. It is so interesting being on the first page of this new chapter. I have gladly left behind something that has always been a part of my life. I have always had a job... since high school. I have always earned my own money, and made my own way. It will be interesting to see how I do depending on someone else to provide those things. I really don't anticipate having too much of a problem with this... but it will be a big change.

The other thing that has occurred to me this morning is how faithful our God is. This is something I have longed for, for years. Literally, probably 10 years or more. I have wanted to be a stay at home mom since I can remember. I prayed and prayed that God would lead me to a godly man who wanted the same things as I did. And He was faithful in that. He lead me to Jeff, who is the most wonderful man in the world. And now, he has lead me right to this point as well... with a precious baby girl on the way, a wonderful husband and father to help me with her, and a beautiful home to care for. Someone pinch me. Did my dreams just come true? : )

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of this life you have provided. Please help me to cherish each day, each moment. Please bless me with the skills and the wisdom to be the wife and mother that You want me to be. I praise you my God, for your faithfulness!

I hope you all have a blessed day!

Love,
Melissa

P.S. Pebbles must be excited about this new chain of events... she's kicking up a storm this morning! : )