Hows it going?

 

Sorry no pictures yet. I am just not ready to show you my perfect face, but when you do meet me, you will fall in love just like my parents have. 

We have had a lot of people ask how we are doing and we are happy to report we are all adjusting well. Dan and I have gotten used to sleepless nights and our little guy is learning to put up with us as his crazy parents who can't get enough of him!! 

Our little guy is growing each day. He will be a tall one. The doctors say he will be at least 6 feet 3!!! WOW!! He is smiling lots and we just can't get over how fast he is growing up!! 

We are still waiting for everything to be final, so please continue to pray for all of us. We are very excited to be a "legal" family. 

We will post more when that is all done. Until then, please continue to keep us all in your prayer as we adjust to being a family of 3. 

Cute "big"  feet

We are parents!!!

Well, this week has been the best, most crazy week of our lives so far. We were matched and placed all in a few days. We welcomed home our son yesterday and are over the moon.  

For the privacy of everyone involved, at this time we will not be posting pictures on our blog. We are however, going to be making out blog private. If you would like to be added to it, please let us know. Thanks and we look forward to sharing pictures of him. 

He is perfect and we are so in love. 

Landscaping

Well, we finally made the commitment. We have been talking about what to do in the front yard for 3 years and finally decided and we could not be happier with how it turned out. I was especially happy that when I went to work in the morning there was nothing and came home and it was completely done AND cleaned up!! Looking forward to watching the unique plants that were planted. 

A girl could get used to these types of home projects!

Friends through all weather

As Dan and I are on our journey of adopting I have really seen this verse in action.

Friends love through all kinds of weather. 

Proverbs 17:17

I am so thankful for our good friends who have come along side us and encouraged us through this time. We have been so lucky to have them walking with us and reminding us of God's love and perfect plan. 

My prayer tonight is that you all have friends who love in all types of weather. The sunny beautiful days where the sun kisses your skin and all is well to the rainy, stormy days where you struggle to find hope. These are people to cherish and love. 

Today I received a sweet email from a friend just encouraging me and offering hope and I was reminded of this verse that is taped on my computer.

But as for me, I will always have hope. I will praise you more and more. 

Psalm 71:14

How lucky am I that God has placed people in my life to encourage me and lift me up in prayer. 

He is so good and so loving, even when life is hard.  

Family Wedding

Dan has a very special bond with two of his cousins. It is so sweet as his wife to watch them together. When Dan and I started to date, he wanted me to meet his cousins right away. I soon learned why and have the same appreciation for them and their parents.

 

Dan's cousin Billy married the love of his life this July!! 

I must admit that the minute I met her, I LOVED her!! Kara is such a sweet person and I have enjoyed getting to know her!  I look forward to hanging out with them as a married couple and getting to know Kara even more!

Just married!!

Meet Lydia!! 

Jennie, Lydia and Dan

Ella, Jennie, Lydia (who does not look amused) and Dan

I love this picture! 

Great Grandma Mach and Lydia
Grandma Mach is one special lady! 

We couldn't be happier for Billy. Congrats you guys! 

Dan's Sister Comes to MN

We were so excited that Dan's sister and our nieces were able to come to MN for a few days this summer. We had a good time getting to know our newest niece Lydia and getting know Ella a little better.  

I really enjoyed my time with Jennie. I have not had the chance to really visit with her and get to know her. Ever since Dan and I started dating we have always lived in different states and even different countries, making it hard to really get to know each other. 

I can't wait to be able to spend more time with her this winter!! 

We spent the first day at the zoo. However, if you asked Ella what the zoo was like, she will probably only tell you about rides. We only saw a handful of animals because uncle Dan bought her an unlimited wrist band to ride rides. She took full advantage of it!!! 

Watching animals at Como Zoo

Magic carpet ride

Having fun yet? 

I think she road this ride over 20 times!!

The next day we got a pool for her to keep cool in! It was a hit!! Since then our neighbor kids have enjoyed staying cool in this hot weather with it! 

Future model

After church we had a bonfire and ROASTED marshmallows. Uncle Dan was trying to teach Ella the art of marshmallow roasting... well, Ella had other ideas... 

Before

After

 After our visit they went to South Dakota to see Dan's parents. 

More pictures to come.... 

Blooming

What a sight to see from our front window!

Loving this new tree!! 

Bathroom Remodel

Sorry, no before and after pics... 

The room we hated most in our house before...

Dan and I spent the last few weekends he has off tackling projects around the house. First one: Re-do master bathroom. We were having moisture issues and the paint was pealing off the walls. So, we fixed the dry wall tape problems (thanks Alex for the ideas) and then painted away. 

Needed a new shower curtain

The bathroom turned out great and even learned lots about how we work together! 

We both love how it looks!

Dan can't wait for his next weekend off! :)

SPRING IS HERE!!!

Almost ready to bloom

 For the winter is past, and the rain is over and gone. The flowers are springing up, and the time of singing birds has come, even the cooing of turtledoves. The fig trees are budding, and the grapevines are in blossom. How delicious they smell! Yes, spring is here!

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

I love spring time. 

I guess it was very evident to me this year, just how long our winter truly had been.

 It has also been a long season in life.  

While driving home the other night I found myself amazed by the green grass, sunshine and tulips blossoming. It was if I had never seen this before! It was finally spring, and for the first time in many years, I truly appreciated the season change!  Where had it been? 

This season in our lives right now seems to be like our winter, a season that is cold and lonely. A season where God is pruning branches in my life and making me go doormat and lean on him to bring me through. I am truly looking forward to this season in my life to "spring"! 

So, to welcome the spring weather... 

I planted some flowers! 

THE TO DO LIST

As we wait for our family to grow, I have been busy working on projects around the house.

 I (we) have a list of things that we want to finish up before we have a sweet baby in our arms. One of the things was re-doing the powder bathroom. So, one weekend I decided to conquer it and I have to say it's turning out lovely. We still need to put up chair rail, but I love how it looks! 

Next up, Master bathroom! 


I will post pictures when we are finished!