September

It's been almost a month since I've written last.  Not a ton has happened but I still feel the need to keep up with my blogging so I don't get too far behind.  :)

A few weeks ago over Labor Day weekend Ben, Stacy, Jake & Skye came to visit.  They haven't seen Keira yet so it was so fun to have them visit.  Whenever I hear friends talk about how they don't like their inlaws or husbands family, I'm so grateful that I can honestly say that I LOVE my second family!!  They really are that...my second family.  I got so blessed to get another set of amazing parents and Pete's brother and sister, their spouses and kids are so much fun to be around.  I definitely look forward to spending holidays with them.  Thank you Jesus!!  Here are some pictures from the weekend...check out how much Keira looks like Skye as a baby!!

Jake & Keira

Skye & Keira

Stacy & Keira

Skye at 4 months...crazy how much they look alike!!

September 20th (last Monday) was Pete and I's 2 year anniversary.  It was wonderful!  The Thursday before my mom surprised me and showed up at our door and was staying through Monday.  It was so great to have her here and so fun for her to see Keira.  Saturday night we left Keira with Grandma and Pete and I left for a night away.  This was the longest time I've been without her since she's been born and it was great!  Yes, I missed her like crazy, but it was so great to just focus on Pete.  Even at home or after she's gone to bed, there is still the monitor that is on or her little face watching us as she plays in her exersaucer.  While she doesn't always require a ton of attention, it was nice to shift my focus completely to my husband.  He got us a hotel and we left around 3 on Saturday.  We swam in the pool and hot tub, went to dinner at On the Border, walked around the mall for a bit, went to Party City, got ice cream at Marble Slab and then went to the cheap theater to see the third Twilight movie.  Sunday morning we slept in and got McDonalds for breakfast and watched 500 Days of Summer in bed.  :)  It was so relaxing and just made me once again realize how in love with that man I really am!  I'm so lucky!!  And knowing that Keira was in great hands made it all the better!!  It was a perfect anniversary!  (Oh and on our actual anniversary he got me a dozen roses and made a wonderful dinner.)  I mean, who wouldn't love this man....????

mmmm....that's hotness!!  :)

Keira is quickly approaching 6 months which just blows me away!!  She's well on her way to sitting on her own and has been talking up a storm lately.  It's so fun to watch her learn different sounds and do funny things with her mouth.  She's been curling her tongue lately which just cracks me up!  She is SUCH a joy and I am so enjoying this stage!!  She's starting to be aware of where I am...whether I'm there or not.  Whenever a stranger comes up to her or holds her, she immediately looks for me to see that I'm still there and what I think about this new person.  I love being her security.  I also fed her cereal when my mom was here.  She just loved it!!  Although, since she's such a spitter...I'm not so much looking forward to the green and orange and colored spit up once she starts eating things that aren't white in color haha.  Her spitting has toned down a bit though so hopefully that will just continue and we'll be good.

Lord be blessed

I'm a few weeks into my new thirty-one business and I'm totally loving it!!  As I think about it, I think it's kinda funny because I was totally never a big fan of these types of things, but now that I'm doing it...I've realized it's perfect for me.  :)  I love people and I love parties.  Seriously, and my JOB is to work with both of those things!!  And the fact that I'm selling fun girly things is even better!!!  I would consider myself a fairly motivated person so I've set up my "office" downstairs and have gotten supplies and organized my files.  I literally feel like I have a little work place in my own house.  It's AWESOME!  :)  I'm just so anxious to get started with having the parties and figuring out how to actually place orders and get that all to work.  I love thinking of ways to give hosting incentives and challenging myself to be creative.

I was watching an online training video the other night and had Keira on my lap.  As I sat there in my sweats with my daughter on my lap and I was "working", I thought to myself...this is what I want to do!  I have always for as long as I can remember wanted to stay home with my babies and now that I'm doing it, I can't imagine going back to work full time.  I absolutely love that I don't dread Monday morning or have a sinking feeling in my gut Sunday afternoon knowing that the work week is starting all over again.  Every day is the same and I just absolutely LOVE it!!

Now with this business, when Keira's napping, I can keep myself busy and give myself something to work towards.  I've got 7 parties booked through October and am hoping to get at least 5 more between now and when we go home the second week of October.

For the first time since we've moved to Kansas, I finally feel like this is something I am just loving doing and want to really pursue.  Again, I laugh at myself when I read that sentence knowing what it's about cause I never thought I'd be saying that about doing in-home parties...but I am.  I feel like the Lord has given me this door and I've walked through and now there are so many opportunities to go from here.  And with that...he's allowing me to ultimately do what I've dreamed of doing...being a mom and raising my kids.

With that said, my prayer lately and my requests to those who have asked (or to some who haven't) is that I would be successful at this.  I feel weird even writing that and saying it but I want to be successful not for the money in any way shape or form.  I want to be successful so that I will be able to make this a full time thing and I won't have to do any other part time job as well.  I'm still signed up to substitute teach and I'm willing to do that, but I really don't want to.  I'm asking the Lord to provide parties and hostesses so that I will be able to continue to stay home with Keira.

At the beginning of each party I will give God the glory and tell the girls there why I'm doing what I'm doing.  I'm trusting that He'll provide in ways I've never imagined.  Through this new journey, my hope is that the Lord will be blessed!!

This is my theme verse for my new ministry/job and my verse for this next year of my life:
Jeremiah 33:9 - Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.

thirty-one

About a month or so ago, I had an interview for a part time office job at the Crisis Pregnancy Center.  While the job seemed like it would be great and all, I was really praying that God would make it clear to me as to whether that was the road He wanted me to go or not.  Well....I came home from the interview and cried 4 times that afternoon.  Not cause it went bad or anything, it was actually a great interview and the lady who I met with was wonderful.  I cried because the thought of going back to an office knowing my baby was home with someone else was heart breaking to me.  I couldn't stand the thought of it and as I sat at my kitchen counter, I realized I had my answer.  I was praying and as I asked the Lord if that wasn't it, what was?  I looked down and there was a little business card from a lady who was a Scentsy Candle rep.  They do in home parties selling candles.  Like most of those parties offer you can "work at home, spend more time with the people you love and make as much money as you'd want to".  Anyways, I read that and I thought maybe I could do that.  All that to say...no...I didn't sign up with Scentsy Candles.  But I did sign up with a company called thirty-one.  I had heard of it a few times but never really looked at what they had to offer.  After much thought and prayer, I decided to do it.

Now let me say that I've never been a huge fan of these types of parties and now that I'm actually a rep for one of them surprises even me.  However, my perspective going into it is if it works, awesome.  If not, no big deal.  I'm not committing to specific hours on specific days and I have to be there or I'm fired.  And that flexibility of this job makes it worth a try.  My desire is to stay home with my girl and if this makes it more possible, then I'm all in.

With that said, I've gotten my start up box and I've been pleasantly surprised with the product.  I thought it was just bags but they offer everything from purses, wallets, stationary, coasters, totes, luggage, garment bags, cosmetic bags, etc.  And everything can be embroidered.  Anyways, the catalog is awesome and offers a TON of options.  I like it because it can appeal to every woman...age 15 or age 50.  We all carry purses or bags or totes and so why not make them cute.

I've always been the party planner so it's actually kinda fun for me to throw parties for my "job".  :)  And I would consider myself a highly motivated person so thinking of new ways to get contacts is actually fun for me.  I don't want to ever be perceived as the pushy "have a party?!?!" person so I don't want to ever pressure someone to have a party.  But that is how I will be successful so I'm just praying and hoping that the product sells itself and people are interested.

I've completely committed this ministry/job to the Lord. That night that I had the interview I was having a quiet time and I read Jeremiah 33:9 - "Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it." When I considered the idea of being one of these consultants and was asking God about it, I told him that if it did work out, that before every party I would, like the verse says, bring Him joy, praise and honor.  I'm trusting Him to provide the "good things" and "abundant prosperity and peace" because of it.

So with that said, I now own my own business?!?!  Weird to even say that.  :)  I'm looking for people to host parties and while I may not come right out and ask you, let me know if you're interested or would even just like to order something.  The website is www.mythirtyone.com/juliegoodman and you can view the whole catalog online.  Again, I don't want to be that pushy party person, but if you're interested, just let me know.

It's all for God's glory and to spend as much time as I possibly can with the cutest little 4 month old baby girl.  Come on....wouldn't you want to look at this face all day long too????  :)

To lose a child....

Keira's down for a nap and I've been just drinking my coffee and reading and reflecting while I have a few minutes.  As I sat on my couch, I was asking the Lord to teach me through Keira.  As a child of God and now being a parent, I am seeing in a new way the love that God has for us as our Father.  Ever since Keira was born, I randomly get these horrid thoughts of things happening to her or her getting hurt.  I hate when I get them and immediately have to ask God to take them away because if I think about them for too long, it scares me to death.  I don't know where they come from, but I hate it when I get them.  I think it's shown me how deep my love for my daughter is even just 4 months into her precious life.  Pete is going to a funeral today of a student and asked me the other day if I would rather lose a child when they were very young, knowing that they would go to heaven, or lose them when they were older, having been able to live life with them, but also potentially not knowing if they would be in Heaven if they didn't choose Christ.  I literally couldn't even think too long about that question because the thought of losing Keira right now makes me sick to my stomach.  In the last 4 months, I've just seen how she is so apart of me and that little girl has worked herself into the core of my heart.

Anyways, all that to say, as I sat on the couch, I was wondering what God thinks when He loses a child.  When one of his children die without having chosen Christ, I can imagine it breaks his heart!!  He has formed us and made us from his own image and created us to live a life with the fullness of Christ, but when we choose otherwise.....  I've just been thinking about this student that died and while He once lived for Christ, the last few years of his life (from what I've been told), he rejected Christ and walked his own path...and now his life has been taken from him.  I can't even conceive of having to go through that as a parent.  Even writing this right now and thinking of that happening puts a terrible knot in my heart and a sick feeling in my stomach.

My job as Christ's ambassador is to share with others God's love for them.  I know Jesus and the power of his death and resurrection and God needs me to be a tangible voice for Him to others who don't know.  I don't want to ever lose a child and I know that He doesn't either.

August Already??

I can't believe that it's already the middle of August. Seriously, where did the summer go?? I will say though that I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the ridiculous heat to go away. There was a heat warning for yesterday and today because temperatures might get from 109-112 degrees!! And that's the actual temperature...not the heat index!! Seriously, COME on!!! Our air conditioner can't keep up with the heat so by 5 pm our house is well over 80 degrees and it's so stinking hot even inside. I never thought I would say that I was tired of the heat, but I'm looking forward to fall and when I can walk outside and be comfortable. :)

Okay well that was just me venting a little bit. I feel a little trapped inside my house cause I don't want to even take Keira outside in that heat, but I am thankful that we have air conditioning and that summer does last longer than winter...even if there's a few months that it's unbearable. Like I've always said, I'd rather be hot than cold so for that I'm thankful!!

My little girl is quickly approaching 4 months old!! It has gone so fast!! I feel like I was just telling Pete I'm 4 months pregnant. And actually, I just looked at my calendar and realized that it was one year ago TODAY that we found out we were pregnant!! That is so crazy and exciting! Wow!! I remember that day like it was yesterday!! I was working and in the afternoon I felt super nauseous. I never feel nauseous and was 4 days late. I came home, made dinner and Pete and I were laying on the couch and I still felt sick to my stomach. I was scared to death to take a test because I didn't want it to be negative again (I had convinced myself I was pregnant the month before and it was negative twice). I finally gave in to take the test and when it say "pregnant" I started immediately bawling and couldn't believe it. I kept saying "I'm going to throw up" haha. I think that was partially the nausea and partially the unbelief that we were actually going to have a baby. Wow. This day one year ago changed our lives!!! Amazing!! And now we have a 4 month old precious little girl that I can't imagine living without! Thank you Jesus for this sweet miracle of life you've given us!!!!

I'm having so much fun with Keira these days. She's giggling so much and just all grins all the time! She's getting so much more coordinated with her hands and reaching and grabbing things. Yesterday I was watching her on her playmat and was convinced she was going to roll herself over. It didn't happen but I'm sure it's coming soon. It's such a cool thing to watch her make little connections. She's found her toes as well and I just love watching her look at her little piggies with awe and curiousness. Everything is so new to her and I love it!! However, with that said, she's getting a little antsy when she eats these days because the butterfly mobile or the stuffed animals or the light in the window are far more interesting that eating....that's boring!! :) I literally have to put a blanket over her (which she doesn't like and tries to pull it off) or distract her so she's facing the right direction if you know what I mean. :) I can imagine it's only going to get more difficult to convince her that eating is more important than staring at the pink bunny haha. :)

Since my last post, we make yet another trek home. This time it was completely spontaneous. Sunday night Pete was talking to his parents on the phone and they said they had gotten a ton of flooding at their house. Pete offered to come home and help them out and so at 5 am the next morning, we packed the car up once again and headed back to Chicago. Yeah!! Jamie had just had her baby so I was so anxious to get home and see her so it just worked out perfectly. We surprised Jamie and Brandon and little Elyse at the hospital and it was so much fun seeing them and their new little baby girl. The cousins met for the first time!! We stayed in Freeport for a few nights and then I met up with my mom and we went back down to Bloomington and stayed at Jamie's for a few nights. I love being home and am missing my family more and more these days. I think the new babies make me want to be home and have them grow up together and be close to grandma and grandpa. :) But for now, God has us in Kansas and so I am trying to be content and make sure that I'm doing what He's called us to do while we're here.

Here are a few highlight pictures from the last month or so...

My two favorite people in the whole world!!!!

Keira's started using her exersaucer. She loves it and it gives me a few minutes to get some things done while she's happy. :)

My sweet girl!! This is how we hang out a lot during the day. Close to mommy yet hands free!!

My Grandma was just THRILLED to meet Keira. I loved that she got to see her.

Keira's first time swimming. :)

Keira and Elyse...they love each other already! (sorry I couldn't get it to rotate)


Proud Grandma and Grandpa with their two new grandbabies.


Pete's grandma and grandpa got to see Keira when we were in Freeport


The surprise visit to Jamie in the hospital


Yeah for the cousins!! Keira's a biiiittt bigger than Elyse haha. :)

First holiday

It's been awhile since I've posted because the computer we were using at home (Pete's computer from college...) finally had it's last day. The hard drive died on our way home from Chicago and so we've been computerless for the last month or so. It's amazing how much you realize that you use a computer, until you're without one!!! My parents knew we needed a computer so they gave us their old powerbook. Let's just say it's good to be back on a Mac!! :)

I'm anxious to get back to my blog cause I feel like I've already missed writing about Keira's new moments. :)Yesterday was July 4th and it's her very first holiday (well besides Memorial Day). Cyndi gave us a super cute dress for the holiday before she was born and so it was fitting that she wore it to church. :)
We are back home for the second time in the last month. Yeah!! It's so good to be back and my schedule is packed as always. It's great to see family and friends and I really don't even feel like I've left. I'm so thankful for them!! I got to go to Christ Community and saw so many people. We were literally the last ones out of the auditorium haha. Everyone wanted to see the babe and I just loved showing her off. :) We spent the evening with the Muellers (like we do for many holidays!) and cooked out and then went to the fireworks. Keira slept through it all!

Speaking of Keira sleeping...she slept for 13 hours last night straight! She's doing AWESOME with the whole sleeping at night thing!! I put her down at 6:45 (she was exhausted from so many people yesterday) and she didn't wake up until almost 8 am this morning. Granted...I was extremely uncomfortable by 8 am but I was so thankful for a full night's sleep. She's done that 5 times this week so I'm thinking that it's going to be a regular thing from now on (hopefully!!).

Keira's started cooing so much just in the last day. She's had a few coo's this past week but just today and yesterday it's like she's hearing her own voice and realizing that she's making noises. It is the most amazing sound!! :) I could listen to her little voice talk to me for hours!!! I made this video when we were in the car earlier today. The end of it sums up my life these days haha. Watch it and you'll understand...




One thing I noticed her doing last week is starting to reach for things. She's not too coordinated yet but I will put her in her bouncy chair on the kitchen table and I hang a toy from the kitchen light to just in front of her. She stares at it intently and moves her arms all around. She'll hit the doll when she does, she'll smile really big and do it again. It's been SO cool watching the learning process take place in her little mind. It's like I'm seeing her make the connections that she can move her arms and when she does so, she hits the doll. It's amazing and such an incredible thing to see her process through the littlest things that we take for granted every day.

If I wasn't able to be home with her right now, I don't know that I'd be noticing all these little things. I wouldn't want to miss them for the world!!! Staying home with my baby is better than I could ever have imagined...I dread going back to work eventually and having to leave her for the day. I know it will be good and I'm sure once I get into the swing of things, I'll be thankful...but for now, I just want to soak up every minute I can get with her!! I'm thankful for this summer and that God has provided for us and given me the chance to be with her! What a blessing!!

Practicing the Presence of God

So like I said before in my post about being a big time "routine" person and big on schedules, it's been somewhat difficult to adjust to this time of not being on a routine. I mean like before I would know the exact minute I had to be drying my hair in the morning so I could then get dressed and put on my makeup and eat breakfast and get out the door to go to work. It's not like that with a baby. :) To say the least...

Anyways, with that said, I've been trying to figure out what my relationship with God looks like now that I don't wake up every morning at 6:20 and read the Word from 6:30 - 7:08 am and have my journal and prayer time. I will say it's been difficult and I'm trying to find what the best way is to stay connected with the Lord as well as get the things done that I need to get done. I find that I have a "chunk" of time each day when Keira naps and that time is very limited and also has to include a shower, making dinner, picking up the house, paying bills, etc. How do I fit it all in???

Lately I've been focusing on the small moments that I do have and using the extra reminders I see and focusing on them for a minute or two more that I would before. For instance...I have verses around my house on the wall or in pictures. I'm making myself meditate on them for longer than I normally would and soaking in God's Word that way. Or taking a minute or two when Keira is "playing" on her floormat or in the swing and reading a chapter in my Bible. Or this morning she fell back asleep in her crib before I went in and got her so I took advantage of those few minutes and went out on the deck and prayed for the day and committed it to the Lord.

It's been a transition and I'm not going to say this new "routine" is easier but I know that as Keira gets older and requires more and more attention and then as we eventually have more kids, it will just get harder to find those few moments. I remember reading a book by Brother Lawrence called "Practicing the Presence of God" and he would talk about how he would pray when washing the dishes and in simple task, he would experience the presence of God. I need to be more diligent with those moments and train my mind to be aware of the presence of God in the simple tasks throughout the day....He's there when I'm feeding Keira, when I'm driving in the car, when I'm eating lunch, when I'm running errands, when I'm pacing the family room trying to soothe my crying baby.

God...may I be aware of your presence at all times. Teach me to see your Glory in all things!