Over the last three months, I've been away growing this little life inside of me. It's an incredible feeling to carry our second child... and our second daughter. We are almost half way through and thrilled about meeting our little girl! Everything feels all too familiar... little movements inside my belly, squeezing into my jeans, keen sense of smell, and extra caution towards the way I approach life.

I find myself daydreaming about life with our new baby girl, Emery being a big sister, and us having TWO children. I think about the day Emery realizes we are bringing a baby home to stay with us forever. Someday, I want the girls to share a room and have mini sleepovers every night of the week, just like me and my little sister. Today, Rick and I were talking about whether our girls would start playing soccer or basketball first. Just saying "our girls" excites me!

For the last several months, I have missed posting our day to day lives on this little space. Soon I will be back into our regular routine, hoping to get in a few posts a week.

Friday, we go see our little girl again through the small computer screen and listen to her heartbeat. Those days are the best days. :)

If I wrote out my favorite things about Emery, her love to create would be towards the top of my list. She is at her best when crafting is involved, completely consumed by the project at hand.

Hope you all are enjoying this season!

When I was three years old and my sister was one, my dad decided to leave the tax accounting department at Conoco to pursue his dream of providing Christian radio to our small town. My mom had already left years before to be a stay-at-home mom. My dad had a crazy dream, as I have been told many times over the years, but he knew God was calling him to purse something bigger than himself, bigger than our family.

{My dad signing KLVV on the air in 1992.}

I grew up with a 60 foot tower in my backyard. I thought it was normal. Once they bought a building, I remember spending the night at the station, setting mouse traps before going to bed. 

In the beginning, my dad and Tony Weir were the only staff. I remember when the Weirs first came to town... hanging on Tony's leg as he dragged us girls around the station, calling Heather a teenager since they came when Tony was fresh out of college, and claiming their children as my siblings. They instantly became family. The Weirs, all seven of them, are one the greatest blessings in my life.

Today, I am amazed at what the Lord can do when a small town catches the vision of taking Jesus to the world through radio... and not just one station, but two... and now through internet and smart phone/tablet apps. I don't believe I have seen the end.  The vision continues and the mission becomes greater as God presents more opportunities.

Through this journey, we have developed so many life-long friends who have given their time and money to make this happen. I have been amazed every year at the sacrifically giving by listeners who believe in this same dream of taking Jesus to the world. Today, that very dream has become a reality. I have seen thousands come to know Jesus and have heard countless stories of lives changed, locally and around the world. 

I am forever inspired by my parents and their faith. They have taught me and my siblings many things, but the greatest lessons I've learned came from watching their faith in action. They didn't only tell us how to live for the Lord, but showed us. I have seen the most stressful of times during this journey and am thankful for I have learned Jesus provides and makes a way - always.

To me, the House FM and Praise 88.7 is not only radio to listen to on the way to work, but a story of how ordinary people came together to do something greater than themselves. I am thankful. As a result, my life is changed. I am more encouraged every day to pursue my dreams because I have seen them pursue theirs. My parents, the staff, and listeners are my heros. 

All of this is because of Jesus and him only.

Here is the story of the last twenty years and the vision that continues to reach the world:

This day, every year, holds so much meaning. Definitely one of my favorites to celebrate. Maybe I'm a little obsessed with this guy, but really he is my favorite. 

I'm thankful to walk by his side. to love. to serve with him. to be adventurers. to dream.

I wonder what love will feel like in ten more years. I have learned that when I feel like I can't possibly love him more, my heart continues to stretch. I'm forever captivated and thankful to be his.

Happy Birthday, Ricky. 

I connected my iPod to the stereo and turned up the music. Emery found a little microphone. I assume it is for the bass drum, but it was the perfect size for her.

She definitely can rock it! even in her pjs. :)

Now, we can't wait for daddy to get home so we can have a real jam session.

painting by Chris Cochran - the inspiration behind the band name "We Were Fiction." check out more about it here.

Every once and a while, my little brother gets to come stay with us while my parents are out of town. We love his visits! So when he comes, we pack out the day with activities centered around him. Last weekend, we woke up early on Saturday morning and played with LEGOs over breakfast. As I watched Jacob play, he set up the most amazing action scenes. I told him he could make a movie... then we got this grand idea - let's make a movie!

I couldn't find my tripod, so we set up a table and taped the camera down. Really professional! We grabbed lamps from the bedrooms and took off the shades to help with lighting. Jacob planned out the scenes and decided to have the bank robber jump of the roof. I quickly drove to Atwood's to buy fishing line. Then, we were ready.

A couple hours later (due to an interested 2 yr old), we had a movie!

Obviously, we aren't professionals, but I'm pretty proud of my 10 year old brother. He is a master at LEGO set design!

These moments are the ones I'll always cherish. The ones that bring tears to my eyes when I think of her. Just last night, I was tucking Emery in bed. I laid down beside her. Her eyes looking into mine. She was sleepy and so very still. I whispered to her to go night night and close her eyes. She did smiling with a big grin, every so often looking up at me. Our eyes connected and we would giggle a little bit. My arms held her tiny body close to mine. Every time I felt her little breath on my skin, I thanked the Lord for this precious gift of life.

No relationship comes close to the dependancey of a child on a mother. She trusts me. She wants me. She needs me. Those facts move me to the greatest action. Opening presents on Christmas morning doesn't compare to the joy I see on her face when she accomplishes something great, even if it is just peeing in the potty. When she pretends to go "bye-bye", she never leaves my site without blowing ten kisses. When she messes up and has to go to time out, big tears begin to roll down those rosey cheeks knowing she made a mistake that mommy didn't like.

Knowing these things, makes me better, makes me more consistent, and makes me cherish her.

Rick is a Colorado maniac. He claims the state and is proud of it.

Emery had never been. Although she is two and will never remember this trip, we still wanted her to experience the fresh air and cool breeze of the mountain top. We wanted her to see the sites and hike as far as her little legs would carry her. 

So we drove and drove to do just that.

We rode the train up to Pike's Peak, admired the beauty of Garden of the Gods, roasted marshmallows by the lake surrounded with dark blue mountains, experienced the state fair, and kicked the ball around in the soft, green grass at the park -- all with family we dearly love.

warning: picture heavy! :) *smaller pics for quicker loading.

This won't be our last trip. Rick and I get mountain fever pretty easily. The slopes seem to be calling us, especially now that our girl is at a great age to attend ski school. She has her snow suit ready for this year. I'm hoping it will be worn in the mountains.