Robert Loves Kendalyn

…And it was a success! Sauntina loved the strawberry/banana/yogurt smoothie and proudly sported her smoothie mustache! Ah, how I love this little girl. <heart>

We’ve enjoyed the company of part of the Stelzl family for  two weekends, fitting as much as we could into the few days they were here! During the first weekend, Mr. & Mrs. Stelzl, Sarah, and the three of us toured downtown Chicago and they treated us to a ride on the lake/architectural riverboat tour! Finished the day with a tasty supper at Giordano’s!

The following weekend, Mrs. Stelzl and Sarah joined us for a busy weekend visiting friends, going back to Chicago to see Navy Pier, and a very fun activity…shopping! The Stelzls bough Sauntina a new, light blue summer dress. She looked like a little princess! We also visited Pacific Garden Mission and listened to a live performance of “Unshakled!”

Last weekend, Mom, Dad, and David Staddon drove 10 hours to surprise Daniel for his birthday! We played many ROOK card games, enjoyed laughter around the table, and a rousing game of mini golf…in the rain!

We’re starting to see a little bump from our second sweet baby! 15 weeks along and I’m feeling so much better now that the morning sickness is over! Happy spring!

Happy Resurrection Day and may we remember His sacrifice all throughout the year! This was Sauntina’s first Easter and we enjoyed spending the morning in church listening to the story of Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for Christians. How blessed we are live with hope and JOY!

Here’s a glimpse of our first Easter all together…and what a range of emotions Sauntina had!

The Olson family invited us for a delicious meal and fellowship for the afternoon…what a blessing to have new friends. Robert enjoyed a hearty game of hockey with their son and a friend!

Later that day, Sauntina had her first egg hunt with her neighbor, Claire! She was thrilled with the brightly colored plastic eggs, but she was not so excited about her first experience with grass (thus the tears in some pictures). It was a lovely day!

After 26 hours of labor, David and Priscilla met their little son, Paul, last Saturday, March 16th. We were blessed to meet Paul when he was just hours old – what a precious baby!

Less than a week later, we held a baby shower for Paul and everyone enjoyed meeting the newest addition to the staff! Thank you, Lydia Waller, for taking the pictures!

We have battled the stomach flu and cold in our home this past week…and come out victorious! Due to our illness, we haven’t done much lately but here are some extra glimpses into different activities we’ve enjoyed this new year!

(This is a sneak preview of version 2.0. The full release is scheduled for September 30, 2013!)

Dad & Mom Staddon, Donald and David drove up from West Virginia to surprise Esther for her birthday a few weeks ago…and they succeeded, too! It was so much fun to have them here for five days and we fit a lot into those days together. Thanks to the tip from a grocery bagger, we visited the ice sculpting in Downer’s Grove and despite the nip in the wind, enjoyed the varied and unique sculptures everywhere.

Last week, Robert and I planned a spontaneous trip to Indianapolis to meet the McDowell’s newest little addition and see friends at South Campus. It was a short, full, fun trip indeed!

Valentine’s Day had always been a mixture of emotions when I was single due to the emphasis on love, romance, and having that “special someone.” My Mama helped change this view years ago when she excitedly celebrated this special day with a special dessert, a small gift (like a new pencil set for school!), and an extra candy or two! She captured the true meaning of this  day…showing love towards others and making them feel special! It’s a beautiful day to watch fathers making their daughters feel special with a small gift, a son to his mother, and a brother to his sister. Isn’t that exactly what Jesus did for us? He not only told us we were special, but demonstrated it on the cross and thus removed our penalty for sin completely and forever if we accept Him. Now THAT is true love!

This was my second Valentines to actually have my very own handsome, wonderful valentine! And not just one this year, but a sweet, cuddly, tiny one, too!

Robert gave me a lovely classical CD mixed with some romantic instrumental songs called Everlasting Love, a tribute to the 50th wedding anniversary of friends of the artist, and my little darling had to promptly test it out. 🙂 I guess it passed inspection because I was allowed to have it back and listen to it that afternoon! Robert also gave me a beautiful bouquet of spring colored roses still in bud, and I have enjoyed watching them blossom these last couple of days! I even caught Sauntina trying to nab one of my roses!

Praise the Lord for His Valentine’s gift to us…and the blessing of loved ones near and afar. We have so much for which to be thankful!

Although thousands of miles separate us, I’m so grateful for technology that allows us to call, Skype, text, and share pictures with my family in Canada…and today is no exception! It’s my sweet Mama’s birthday today!

There is so much I could say about her, but I’ll narrow it to just a few special memories. Mama has always been a classy dresser and tried hard to pass it along to us. I remember groaning, age 9 or 10, when Mama chose our outfits when we were going out somewhere special – a nice white t-shirt or button up shirt with a nice, coordinating pair of shorts or skirt. Looking back on pictures, I’m so glad she stuck with it! The outfits that she chose were so classy looking, neat and clean. However, Mama also believed in allowing children to be children and there was one time when she decided to let me where whatever I wished…and we were going to the Focus on the Family headquarters none the less! Guess what my attire was! A floral pink pair of shorts with a pink plaid top! My choice was simple…wear my favorite shorts and my favorite top (who cared if it matched?!?!). Mama had such patience with us!

Mama’s ability to tackle daunting tasks and finish jobs until they’re complete has always amazed me. If it’s not renovating their home, then it’s making 50+ freezer meals for Robert and I last May! I used to wonder why Mama would come alive around 5 in the evening…and since I now have a baby, I understand! That’s when you make supper, feed the baby, play for a short time, then they are off to bed and you can tackle some jobs uninterrupted! How Mama made homemade bread, canned jams, vegetables, and fruit, grew a large garden, looked after sheep, washed cloth diapers, raised four children under 6, ran a home, sat and took time with Dad each evening, cooked for company, kept the house clean, did all the laundry herself, and sold Mary Kay, I shall never know but I now have a whole new appreciation!

Thank you, Mama, for you wonderful example of motherhood for me to follow and I pray this new year will be the best you’ve had yet! We love you!