Hello J-Man. We miss you.

We're still here in Nebraska (until Monday). Having a heckuva time, lemme tell ya! Patrick and I have been enjoying incredible amounts of brotherly-sisterly bonding. For example: I've been chased around the living room with a booger, been lured into the most toxic-smelling bathroom you could possibly imagine, and have proven time and time again that, yes, I am the most correct/smartest person when it comes to every issue in the known universe. That's what first-born big sisters are for: knowing everything (and not being afraid to admit it).

Have I mentioned we've been having a heckuva time?

Marie got to ride a real pony at the zoo yesterday. So adorable. Those photos are on Isabelle's (my step-sis's) camera yet...so they'll come later. Renee has been hilarious. She's getting so big and opinionated. The first thing everyone has said when they've met her is that she's going to be very playful when she's a toddler/young child. She is such a wiggly-worm and a chatter-box. She loves it when people talk to her. But she is a cuddler, too, which I love. Marie wasn't a very cuddly baby, but she's starting to be a snuggly little girl.

Tonight on the way home from Grandpa Ben and Nana's house Marie said a few interesting things. We were talking about Jesus and Marie said, "Did we crucify him, Mommy?" Uh, what do you say to a 2 year old who asks this question? I was able to fuddle something out, which I pray was helpful to her.

She also said that when she grows up she wants to be a Veterinarian ("Veginarian"), but then changed her mind. She settled on Princess. More specifically, a princess with a magic wand. And then suggested that Renee can be the fairy godmother, while Grammy Cindy and I can be the stepsisters. How generous.

Well, here's what you really came for. Photos:


Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies w/Grammy Cindy. I only ate 9 or 10 today. Not bad. Isn't my mom gorgeous?





Waking up from nap. She loves sleeping on her air mattress.





With Papa and GG (her Great Grandparents on my mom's side) today. Papa is amazing with kids. Marie loved holding his hand. They brought the girls each a stuffed animal, which was very kind and generous.





I think this is my favorite photo of Renee yet. She is growing up so quickly. Love love love that smile.





The Meehan sisters.





The goofball Meehan sisters.





Playing with Uncle Patrick this afternoon.





At Grandpa Ben and Nana's tonight. Zsa Zsa (we got her when I was in high school) was Marie's entertainment for the night. Renee would watch her and belly laugh.





My dad and Renee.





Grandpa Ben with his two granddaughters.





Gramps and Nana with the girls.





Dad and me.





Does it get much better than a pit-bull, a mini-motorbike, one extremely tatted-up dude and a barn in the background? I think not. This is Nebraska, folks.





Me and Marie. She was really so over taking photos at this point.





Looking at the flowers, bumble bees and butterflies with Nana.





That's my brother with his albino pit bull named Missy. Isn't she adorable (gag)? She's been living with my Dad and Carolyn for several years now, and has become like a child to them. A hideous blood-thirsty child. Heehee. Apparently she is a really sweet dog, but I don't let her near the girls because...well...she's a pit bull.





Another one of that lovely, mild-mannered pit-bull. And the dog, too.





Dad, Carolyn, myself and the girls.





Renee was cuddly and sweet (much like Missy the pit bull) after an evening at my Dad's acreage.





Fancy Nancy, or Marveous Marie. We played a little dress-up before bedtime.










Marie with her new coin purse, courtesy of Grammy Cindy (who let her pick out any purse she wanted today). Very kind of you, Mom.





I'm not fancy enough.










Marie's new obsession is cherry Chapstick. "But mint is my favorite" -Marie.





Time for bed. I have to get up tomorrow to get my behind-kicked in racquetball.

Okay, these are not going to be in any sort of order. We are in Nebraska. I thought Joel and a few others might like to see them. My step-sister took a bunch more on her camera that I need to get from her, and then I'll post those, too.


Renee was REALLY thrilled to meet Uncle Patrick for the first time :-)





Pat's first good meal in a while. He chose Old Chicago.





Hangin' with Uncle Patrick.





Pat's first time feeding a baby. Renee's first time being fed by a Staff Sergeant....





Watering Grammy's flowers.





Marie decided to get a little aggressive with the hose.





I got to give Pat the very first hug!





Dude, where are my civilian clothes?





Love from Marie





Marie making Pat walk blindfolded.





Grandpa Ben, Uncle Pat & Marie in the airport parking garage. Pat just wanted to get home, get a shower, change into "civilian clothes" and go out for a nice dinner.

At the Sargeants' house today. The big girls were all playing upstairs unsupervised! They did quite well! So us mommies were able to enjoy the babies downstairs for a few precious minutes. Thanks, Amy, for always letting me steal photos off of your blog.





Lucy and Marie reading together

treasuring and pondering...

so i changed the title of the blog again today. i liked "adventures in quiver-filling", but ultimately i think that that verse really speaks about having sons who will grow up to defend your family's honor (and possibly your lives). we may have a son some day, but for now we have been given the privilege of raising two little gals.

i'm not feeling particularly creative right now, so if you can think of something better, please do share.

Look-Alikes?
We've had quite a few conversations recently about whether Renee and Marie look alike. There are definitely similarities, but so often people say, "They could be twins!!" I just don't see it. Do you? It honestly does not bother me at all when people say this, I'm just confused because they look so much different to me. Their hair and complexions are just so opposite. Marie had very little hair and has always had a dark complexion. Renee's complexion is very splotchy (especially when she's tired or fussy), and her hair is crazy!

We think Renee is going to be the drama queen of the family. She can snap at a moment's notice. And tonight she threw her first tantrum at the ripe old age of 7 months. Apparently she wasn't diggin' turkey with mixed vegetables. She was kicking and screaming and batting the spoon away. I didn't believe Joel when he said that she was throwing a fit because she didn't like the food, but then I tested his theory. As soon as the bananas and apples came out, she was all smiles.

Well, Joel's home from watching Auburn football. Bye!


Marie in September 2006




Renee in September 2008

'da bomb diggity! who are the geniuses who did this???

you're probably going to laugh when you view our blog and hear the new "song" i posted this evening :-)

but seriously, does it get any better than a piper sermon set to some serious jams? i think not.

I cannot thank my dear friend enough for introducing me to Red Mountain Church's music. I needed to hear this today:

"My wicked heart has said again yea, and again, That Christ my soul will leave, to perish in my sin;

But though I feel as cold as clay, He will not, cannot, go away."

And I needed to see this (you'll need to stop the playlist at the bottom of the page):


Oh, Katy. You're the best :-)

Joel's new job will be in Brooklyn Park, MN. If you live in the Minneapolis area and happen to see a house or townhouse with a "For Rent" sign in the yard, please pass along the phone number. We're looking to rent something modest, but in a safe neighborhood. Hopefully a 20/25 or fewer minute drive to the Caterpillar plant in Brooklyn Park.

A Potpourri of Photos:


Marie and two of the Gretsch boys (Rhys and Daniel).




Mel and Marie




There were never such devoted sisters :-)




They really do love each other.




Joel playing scrabble with Dan & Jeanette (The Gretsches). I sat this one out to avoid humiliation. Jeanette is unbe-stinkin-lievable at Scrabble.




Renee being civil toward her father. She loves him except for when he's taking care of her and Mommy is within her line of sight. We're working with her on this. Marie was happy with absolutely anyone, so it's a bit different getting used to.




Playing dress-up with Lucy. Marie LOVES dressing up. We always try on hats and costume jewelry at Target and giggle while people give us odd looks.




Hannah and Marie. Hannah's mom told us that we could adopt her and take her with us to MN. I am hoping she was serious.




Joel makes a mean dog.




Katy and Maggie



And last, but not least...

MARIE'S FIRST DRAWING OF A PERSON!!! You may not be able to see it, but I watched her draw a head, eyes, ears, nose, face, arms, hands, legs, feet and hair! And she named her Kristin (her middle name).




Kristin and Bob.

First, a few photos. Then, if you're up for it, a bit of a melancholy blog post.




Sweet baby 'Nee.




A lovely dress that Jeanette Gretsch made for Marie. She also made a matching one for Renee. So special.




William, Renee and Marie watching an early morning cartoon together. No, I don't typically let Renee watch TV, but this just happened to be a cute photo op.




Playing with water balloons with some friends in our front yard.




Sisters.



I'm not trying to be over-dramatic here, but I thought I'd share this - and I can't sleep. This afternoon I went for a run, and this song started playing on the iPod. I completely lost it. I was bawling my eyes out, attempting to walk/run down Lake Pine.
*You can hear the song if you turn up the volume on your computer. There is a playlist at the bottom of the page, just click on the first song - "Faith My Eyes" by Caedmon's Call.


I think it really hit me because in the 4 years that Joel and I have been married, there have been so many times that we have just desperately missed and longed to be near our families. My husband is not an emotional man, but I have seen his heart on his sleeve a few times over the past several years and I know that he has wondered why God has put us where He has. I know it hurts him to be away from his siblings and parents. A family like his, with four siblings and parents who all love the Lord, is such a rare treasure.

Right now was not one of those times where we were longing to move to the Midwest. Not that we don't both miss our families and want to be a bigger part of their lives, but we have been happy here in North Carolina. We have made some amazing friends whom we share life with. Marie is making friends, too. It's really neat to watch her learn to play and share and love people.

I think this is why God is moving us now. Because this is not one of those times during which we think that moving to Minnesota is going to make our life so much better. We love our friends and love our life here. We know that in MN raising our children will still provide daily challenges, Maggie will still have occasional attitude-flare-ups (who, me?), Joel's job is not going to be stress-free, and we're going to have to make new friendships with people who probably won't be as cool as the ones we have here. It's just not possible, right? Heehee.

For the record, Joel was not looking for a transfer. He happened upon the Minneapolis job when he was searching for a different job that he had applied for in Cary (to see if the posting had closed) - otherwise he never would have seen it, or applied. We're both just kind of dumbfounded right now. God definitely has plans and is making it very apparent that He is in control of our life.

I think this song just reminded me of all of those times I mentioned before, during which we've felt lonely/sad/confused starting over in new places, hundreds and hundreds of miles away from our families. Maybe even a little (or a lot) frustrated with God during some of our lower points. We've had countless conversations about how and when we might move "home" and what that would look like. And countless other times where we've not allowed ourselves to have these thoughts, because it just seemed so far-fetched. Now He has done this in his own timing; not ours. And although we're both hopeful that we will be in MN for a long time, and eager to share more life with our families, we are also thankful for where we have been the past 4 years and the friends and experiences we have had. So unbelievably thankful.

Wow, this turned out to be a bit dramatic. But oh well. I'm in a dramatic mood. I reserve that right as a female :-)


"Faith My Eyes", by Caedmon's Call

As I survey the ground for ants
Looking for a place to sit and read
I'm reminded of the streets of my hometown
How they're much like this concrete that's warm beneath my feet

And how I'm all wrapped up in my mother's face
With a touch of my father just up around the eyes
And the sound of my brother's laugh
But more wrapped up in what binds our ever distant lives

But if I must go
Things I trust will be better off without me
But I don't want to know
Life is better off a mystery

So keep'em coming these lines on the road
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes

Hometown weather is on TV
I imagine the lives of the people living there
And I'm curious if they imagine me
Cause they just wanna leave; I wish that I could stay

But I get turned around
I mistake some happiness for blessing
But I'm blessed as the poor
Still I judge success by how I'm dressing

So I'll sing a song of my hometown
I'll breathe the air and walk the streets
Maybe find a place to sit and read
And the ants are welcome company

And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes