Just a couple if weeks ago we all made the 6ish hour treck to Kearney to help celebrate a family wedding. Of course we had to take a family photo (even if it was with my phone!) while we were all decked out!
We can just pretend that LL is blowing kisses.
And every opportunity we get we gather cousins:
It was such a sweet wedding!
On the way home we stopped in Lincoln for lunch with Great Papa and Nana. Thanks for letting us rest up half way!
Three posts in one day is a lot, but when there’s catching up to do and when the following is just too precious not to, I couldn’t resist.
Last week was GORGEOUS outside as we welcome spring, so much of our days were spent outdoors going on walks. On one of our walks we decided to go to the park and let Linley try out the swing for the first time. It went as follows:
Getting ready for a good time:
And WHAO!! Check out the hand wave and the roll of her tongue too! I’m not comparing her to a puppy, but she sure is delighting in swinging like a puppy with its head out the window on a summer day!
Then we took turns snuggling, because it’s what we do.
And finally, 22 seconds of Linley swinging back and forth.
Linley will be celebrating her FIRST birthday in just a few weeks! Unbelievable! So I’m not quiiite referring to the wonderful world of ‘the two’s’; I referring to the wonderful world of two…BABES!
We sent the following Valentine to some of our family last month as a way to announce the surprise:
The hearts read, ‘Tad A. Libby A. Linley A. and littlest a.’ The back reads, ‘more to love expected late September’.
Needless to say, Little Lady won’t be the littlest babe at the Asayplacey for long. Come mid-late September, if all goes well, we’ll be welcoming baby ‘a’ 2 to the Asayplacey!
We are very excited AND thankful. All babes are gifts and we’ll take ’em! We know and have experienced that both conceiving children or being able to carry children to term can be a struggle for many families. Before Linley came, we experienced two pregnancies that lasted no more than a couple of months. God grew us both and changed us tremendously during that time, allowing us to trust in His goodness and perfect timing–truly! And find JOY in it. Daily battling to LIVE OUT what’s written in Philippians 4:6-9 proved to be a very mighty weapon against worry when it came to my pregnancy with Little Lady; and this pregnancy as well. I had just one moment about a month or so ago during which I was concerned for the health of this babe. I was driving in the car and just prayed a quick prayer out loud that went something along the lines of:
‘Lord, I’m concerned about this babe because of —-. But Lord, you know the EXACT number of all of our days, from the very first to the very last, including this babe. And that number, it’s a GOOD number, because all you do is good.’
And then I was done worrying because, let’s face it, worrying STINKS!
So while it’s clear that we’re grateful, there is one thing I could be possibly still be concerned about – the babe’s demeanor. I can only hope that this babe is much more peaceful than our strong willed little lady, who would scream and scream and scream nearly every waking minute while we were home for the first 2.5-3 months. Not reflux. Not colic. Just her strong will adjusting to an outside word, imperfect from her pleasant home in the oomb. (We can chat over the details of why I believe this if you’d really like at another time.) I will say, however, that those three months, were the most trying, humbling, sanctifying months I have to date experienced (even on top of miscarrying our first two littles). God certainly new what he was doing when he gave us Linley Louise, our faith-filled warrior (that’s what her name means…ironically enough – side note – when praying for her pre-natal, it just didn’t feel right to pray that she’d be calm and peaceful. Every time I’d pray for her, it was as if the Lord would say, ‘nope. sorry. she’ll be bold and courageous’ So there ya have it). When you feel like it’s your responsibility to ‘fix it’ and all you hear is the fresh shrill of a new born – you go a little crazy. I’ve never cried out for mercy more, felt more hopeless, more sinful, more angry and devastated than when we welcomed our sweet lady to the world. But the Lord is nothing but good in giving us Linley – I can say that because I’ve experienced, not only the blessing of being a parent, but also how ‘He opposes the proud, but shows favor (gives grace to) the humble’ . And if he wanted to show his grace for us by putting us in humbling circumstances, so be it! I’d rather know his grace through trial than know his opposition through getting my haughty, yes haughty, way all the time. (That’s a bold statement; so maybe not ask me how I’m enjoying the Lord’s grace in the midst of my next trial). :)
That’s that! Bring on the babes!
Well, we’ve just been doing other things around here besides keeping up to date with our web log – here is an overview of Linley’s TENTH month with us. ENJOY!
These are her Valentine’s Day jams. But around here, holiday jams aren’t just for holidays, as you’ll see below in her Christmas jams in February.
A few weeks ago we made a weekend journey to the twin cities to do some furniture shopping at IKEA. Tad accepted a new position still in our city (praise the Lord!) and had the week off, so we took advantage of the free time. Linley was such a sweet trooper on our trip and had a BLAST exploring things inside the shopping cart.
I found this wicker chair, just her size, and was oh so tempted to purchase it, but just didn’t. A photo would do for now.
Needless to say we found some deals and loaded up! Tad’s got some skill when it comes to efficiency. What can I say?
I don’t have an image of it here, but Linley was buried in the back cab of the truck for the trip home. With items stacked on both sides of her, you’d not have known we had the little lady with us if you didn’t here her chatter! She had a hard time falling asleep initially, as it was her bed time heading out of the cities, but she thankfully fell asleep eventually. Tad and I then enjoyed 3 hours of the constant brown noise that was playing for Linley’s sleeping convenience. (sometimes, that’s just what is helpful).
We started putting together our items the next day. Linley loves helping – especially when her daddy is involved. They’re pals.
I WILL post some images of the after with everything set up, but we’re still finishing some construction/painting. When it’s all done (goal is by the weekend!) I’ll find the befores and post them with the afters. QUITE the change.
I’ve been trying to keep Linley away from the stairs as long as possible, but alas, she found them and was super eager to climb – and that she did! yeah girl! just caution yourself, okay!
Another new venture we had that month was introducing Linley to one of the many neighborhood cats we have gracing our driveway and backyard daily. She’s been intrigued by them whenever they pass by, so when we were finished with our walk a few weeks ago, we decided to let her explore.
The kitty was … friendly.
Then the kitty got annoyed by Linley’s love pats:
Oh, kitty. Just don’t get too annoyed with my babe. (or momma, don’t let babe annoy the kitty too much).
I love these two. They’re my favorite people. I can say that right? Brushin their toofers together. (again – don’t judge – see the xmas jams out of holiday). They fit and they’re cozy.
I had to include this one also. They ALWAYS make the same expressions it seems!
And of course – Tad on his first day of the new job. The main reason I wanted to take a picture was to compare the difference between his old work attire and this; however, he doesn’t really want to put his holey, acid-clad jeans and fleece back on (he used to work designing machines that packaged chemicals), so here’s the new, cas, Tad!
And now we’re in the middle of month 11! Let the party planning begin!
The Asay Placey 