Past And Present

One thing that I love about keeping a journal, is that you can easily go back and see how different things are, in just a short time, from your past to your present.  Re-reading through my journals, I find myself grateful for the past trials that make my present blessings that much sweeter.  The other night, we paid off the last of ALL of our debt, (seriously, people need to be so much more educated about student loans before jumping into that much debt so quickly, I think...Or maybe it was just us?  but that is a story for another day, or not).  ANYWAYS.  We only HOPED that we could pay off half of that debt this year. I remembered last May and flipped my journal open to that month.  Cade and I both can't believe how much has changed and how we have been so blessed.

Last May was stressful.  Before I got pregnant I heard over and over from friends, family or even strangers..(strangers, ha..only in Utah:)), that a person would never be financially ready to have a baby but, "everything would work out".  (Ok, I'm pretty sure I butchered it, but something along those lines).  So when I did get pregnant, we had faith that that was going to be true.  But soon nothing seemed to be going right financially.  I knew that I didn't want to do anything but stay at home with my baby after she was going to be born; but on paper, it looked nearly impossible that I would be able to.  It was frustrating and overwhelming.  A lot of disappointed tears from me and I can only imagine how much hurt feelings in Cade.  A little bit before Aleah was born some things came together and other things didn't. We moved forward with a little bit of faith that things would work out though and that I would be able to stay home with Aleah.

It is AMAZING how much I feel like things really did "work out"...and even more than we could have imagined.  Cade has been working so many hours lately, I miss him quite a bit, and he sometimes feels like he's missing out on seeing his baby grow; but we feel really blessed that we've been able to accomplish what we have and on only one income.  Every now and then I catch myself completely surprised that I am able to stay home with Aleah.  How is this all working out?  It doesn't always make sense.  It's obvious that our prayers have been answered and where we are right now is where we are suppose to be.  Life right now is so good. 

And still along the lines of reflecting and remembering....

I came across Aleah's ultrasound pictures and couldn't believe how much she did actually look like that little 20 week old baby .  Like, that 20 week old alien looking baby actually does look like my Aleah.  Facial expressions....and side profile. 

 

The scowl on her face...I'm not the only one who sees it right?

     

And I'm still going....
The other night I got a very sad, but totally cute little pony in Aleah's hair....  I thought her stages of hair growth and loss were pretty comical.  So let me share!

Lots of hair

A few hairs

Ponytail!

And a few pictures from my phone that I am finally posting...

This does not have much to do with reflecting and remembering. 

This blog post is getting random.

Before another long stretch of work for Cade, Aleah and I went to lunch with him.  After lunch we decided on a little spontaneous walk at the MK Nature Center in Boise.  I hadn't been there probably since elementary school.  It was actually really fun and I think we are going to have to go back!  ..Next summer. 

 Feeding the ducks geese by our place.  Does anyone else think that those "inbetweener" (new word?) ducks geese are seriously ugly?  They are not little babies but they aren't full grown.  Teenagers, totally in their awkward stage.  They are so ugly.  Still fun to feed though!

Her Christmas Kansas City jammies still fit :) (Only because they were so big at Christmas time).

I know I already posted a pic like this one on the left a few days ago...but here are some more "big girl" standing pics anyways.  I took the one on the right a few weeks ago to send to Cade.  She crawled to the couch and without any help, pulled herself up.  First time pulling herself up.  She stood there long enough for me to snap a quick picture.

   

I am really enjoying this little girl lately.  This age is just soo fun!  Her personality is fun, she's learning so much, trying new things, and noticing the life around her more.  It's just the best.  And she still has the greatest chubby cheeks for me to kiss on, which everyday I am happy about. :)  Having a seven month old is, I think, my favorite age so far.