So I used to be one of those people who made fun of the people who had big parties for their kids. WHat in the world do little kids need big parties for? Well, now I need to make fun of myself and eat my past words. We had a Welcome to the World party for Lexi. At the party, we had her God Parents do a little ceremony and dedicate themselves to Lexi as lights in her life. We had cake, food, and just fun getting together. Aunt Jeanne was a huge help in planning and preparing for Lexi's big day! Grandma Chelle, Aunite Rebecca and Auntie Hannah flew in for the big day! We had lots of our New Jersey family there to join in on the fun. And thanks for Aunt Mia who planned the God Parent ceremony. We will not dobig crazy Birthday parties, but a kid needs a few big days...Welcome to the World, Graduation, Wedding...you know the big stuff! I was happy to be able to do this for our baby!
Have fun looking at the pics.

Semper Fi

Me and my Sister


My baby brother


Megan holding her niece

My wonderful husband has been able to complete 2 contracts this month!! The prayers have been so helpful and thank you for going to God for us. Though he is still working crazy hours, he was able to get 2 contracts! We are so happy that this month went so much better. So please keep the prayers coming and THANK YOU GOD!

On another note, this week has been better. One of my wonderful friends from church offered to watch my daughter (weird to say) all of Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday I was able to spend the day by the pool and Matthew's aunt and uncle's house. While Lexi was with my dear friend I was able to clean clean clean! Then my cousin is flying in tomorrow for a weekend visit. Then to top it off, I get to see my dad, step-mom, brother and sister in Albuquerque along with lots more of my Trent family. So this has been a good week and next week will be too. I will be flying with an infant, so say a little prayer ;).

Today life is good and we have to keep counting our blessings.

Pity Party

Okay, since last Wednesday things have not been nearly as wonderful as they had been. I had a friend call and ask if life was "really" as great as they sounded on the blog. Well, since Wed. life is tough. For some reason Lexi started fussing a lot and waking much more frequently. Then Matthew was at work late every night last week until about 10:30 p.m. He leaves by 6:45 a.m. and gets back so late! How do people those kind of hours for any length of time???? We (Matthew and I) are so tired. This recruiting job is a killer! Did you know that of the approximate 35 recruiters in New Jersey, there are 3 singles, 13 pending divorces, and one person having major issues and being discharged. 13 DIVORCES!!!!! We know that we have God on our side, but 13 divorces gives you an idea of how hard recruiting duty is. Matthew is working so many hours, totally exhausted, and then I don't get a break from a new baby because how can he give me a break when he is more tired than I am. My parents keep encouraging me that anyone can do anything for the short-term. Well, it will be tough to maintain a happy home for this 3 year tour!

I am by no means a single mom...I never have to worry about where I am going to have $$$ to pay the bills. We are also blessed that Matthew at least comes home every night! I am, however, raising Lexi for this short time we are on recruiting duty. Matthew gets to see her, at the most, for about an hour each day; that is a short time! I feel very alone sometimes in this parenting thing. Then I feel bad for feeling unhappy, because Matthew is that much more tired and stressed and he doesn't get to see all the smiles that I get to see. At least we don't have to worry about Matthew being shot at in Iraq.

It is hard to keep going and being here for such a needy "parasite." A family member called the baby a parasite, because for right now, she takes and takes and wears out the host. I know this will pass and most people end up forgetting what it was like with a newborn. (That's what they said about pregnancy...haven't forgotten that yet ;). Life right now is hard and that is okay. It will be better soon. God has already answered prayers about making Matthew's job better. I am just excited for this beautiful daughter of mine to be getting more sleep and becoming more independent.

After a good cry tonight, a good talk with my wonderful husband and a phone call to talk things out, I am better. Just a rough couple of days. Will never blow off a mom who says she is tired again. When Lexi is older, I will also make a mission of helping new moms!

Oh, what's with the husband being unable to figure out what goes in a diaper bag? Matthew is an intelligent, very capable man who surprised me this lack of awareness. Any of you ladies have trouble getting to church on time because the father of your wonderful babies has no idea what items and supplies need to accompany the baby? How can daddy think we can just walk out the door with only baby in arms!

I love you ladies and I have a new found respect for every mother on the planet. No wonder we have Mother's day! This mother who is no longer on the mommy honeymoon is signing off for the night. I love you ladies!
B

Smiles and Coos

Our life is so blessed. We are in such a good place thanks to God's love for us! We are enjoying our little girl. She lights up our home with her smiles and "talking" to us. I think she might be a kid who talks A LOT when she gets older. Where in the world would that trait come from??? Also, I am pleasantly surprised at this full-time mom/housewife thing. I LOVE IT! ME, a person who didn't even want kids until a couple of years ago! ME who only wanted ever to teach and couldn't even think about serving and being "submissive" to a man! Wow, how God can bless and change a person's heart. God has gifted me with a husband whom I can hardly wait each day to see and serve. When Matthew calls and needs something, I have the greatest pleasure out of doing as he asks! Will this last? I hope so. I hope this isn't just because it is new and different. I do know I get bored in a job after about 2 years, so we shall see. In the meantime, I LOVE THIS JOB. Even when it pays in smiles and coos. Especially when it pays in smiles and coos.

We have also been blessed with the gift of being able to afford one income. 2 and 1/2 years ago we decided to pay off our debt. God provided amazing ways to make that happen! With no car payment, no credit card payment, and no student loans it is amazing what you can afford. Thank you God for this blessing.

Do you feel closest to God when you are feeling blessed and provided for? That is when I most frequently turn to God. He is so good. To quote Steve Sikes, the preacher guy at our church, "God is good all the time, all the time God is good!"

Been a while

Hello to all. Has been some time since I was last on here. You see, my mom flew in to visit, then my dad came to visit and then Lexi and I went to my dad's house for 2 and 1/2 weeks. Not sure if I have mentioned this, but Lexi is an EASY baby -- Thank GOD for easy baby -- so we took the trip so Lexi could meet all kinds of family down south.

We are up to about 5 hours of sleep at a time. This is great, though I am an 8 hour person, I know there will come a time when we sleep all night! I enjoy each day holding our baby girl, feeding her and talking with her. She has begun talking back with loud coos, laughs and great big smiles. This mom thing is just absolutely wonderful. I thank God each and every day -- multiple times per day -- for such a happy baby. With the rough pregnancy that we had, I would gladly have a rough 9 months and a healthy easy baby for long term.

Here are a few pics of our life over the last several weeks.

Life with baby

We are doing so well! Lexi has adjusted superbly to life outside the uterus. She is growing, eating and pooping just as a one month old should. I think she is an expert pooper BTW. She slept las night for a 5 and 1/2 hour stretch, which this new mom was thankful for. We are all just loving this new family of ours. Lexi seems to have brought completion to this happy family. We are so grateful for the health and great recovery of mommy and baby. Here are a few pics of us out and about during the first month of this beautiful baby's life.

On our way home from the Hospital

We are at home and Lexi is 3 weeks and 1 day old. This mom is LOVING being a mom! It is so wonderful to feed my baby and then hold her on my chest. I could just hold her all day...and I almost do! She is so far a very easy baby. She only cries if she is almost starving to death and right before she falls asleep. Otherwise she just hangs out watching the world. I think she is the best baby ever!!!

Presenting...

Baby

This is my last post as a mother to a baby who is only inhaling amniotic fluid! Tomorrow I will be a mother to a baby breathing air!!! Have a wonderfully wonderful day. We appreciate all of your prayers and support! I am excited to be sharing pictures with you in the near future of our baby girl!

We have been so blessed by so many people! Thank you for letting God use you to bless our lives. We love you and pray for you as well.
Brenda and Matthew

Baby Coming

A.C.C. is scheduled to join the world on April 7, 2008 at around 7:30 am. We have had a few issues pop up this week which have led us down the C-section path. For her safety and for what's best for both of us, the Dr. and our family decided to have the c-section. We are of course thrilled to meet her soon and I am glad to know when I will not be pregnant anymore. Since I just threw up last week, I am glad to not be throwing up due to pregnancy anymore. Matthew has been promised 10 days of leave for her birth which is one of the major prayers answered from two blogs ago. We are so extremely thankful for this time he has been given!!! Especially since we were not sure he would even get one or 2 days off. Then my mom will be here to help starting the day he goes back to work. So there will be lots of help around. We are so thankful for our family, our friends and your prayers. Have a wonderfully wonderful day!!! WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!