On Becoming a Wife (Lessons I've Learned from my Husband)

You can hope and dream and pray and think (a little song is coming to mind) but I just don't think you can prepare enough for marriage.  There is something about being in the actual trenches that teaches you what you really need to know.  It reminds me of my days in the teaching credential program.  We learned lots of techniques and theories and they were all great and helpful.  But I had no idea what teaching was really like until I was up in front of that classroom with live children who all had real hearts and minds and...well...ants in their pants!  (You know what I mean.)

What I could not have anticipated was how much my husband would help me become a wife.  I'm not trying to diminish anything from my mom or other faithful women in my life.  Of course I learned much from their counsel and wisdom and still do.  But what can I say?  I married well, and I couldn't have imagined all that was in store for me just by marrying Kwacha.  

So over the next few weeks I'm going to cover a different skill or trait or whatever you want to call it that has started to improve in my life because of Kwacha.  Ultimately because of God since He works in Kwacha and in me and He gave Kwacha to me.  

The topics I will cover:

(Some are obviously more vital than others and the list below is in no particular order.)

1. Cleaning
2. Time Management
3. Discipline (Working Out and Eating Healthy)
4. Appearance
5. Getting Enough Sleep
6. Raising a Child
7. Cooking
8. Scheduling
9. Forgiveness
10. Love

So stay tuned.  If I have time during Shirley's next nap, I may post one today.  
Just a little p.s.  I am in no way trying to say that I am a great example in these areas or that I have learned all there is to know.  I mean, this should be obvious without me having to state it.  I just want to be helpful in the very few small things I have learned in my short time of being a wife.  

Thanks for reading! 

Shirley at Five Months

Anyone can see by that nice little ticker above that I am once again late in posting about Shirley.  And once again I only had one post in between this one and the last monthly update on Shirley.  But stay tuned.  I will have a new easy little recipe up soon.  One that has (kinda) brought ice cream back into my life.  Anyway, on to Shirley.  

This time, I didn't touch up the pictures at all.  I am currently taking a free online Photoshop class and  I'm spending so much of my free time watching those lessons that I just don't have time to fix these up.  I just need to get them on here.  I don't have a baby book yet, so this is kind of my only way right now to remember how Shirley is developing.  And yes, probably only family and a few close friends care but why am I apologizing?  Look at that cute face!

Who me?

Attacking her dog.  Shirley has become much more aware of her toys this month.  She's finally playing with them!

And she's beginning to sit up with help.  She actually does pretty good balancing with no help, not even from a boppy pillow, for about ten seconds maybe.

But toppling is still the norm.

The classic picture with her dog.

Do we really have to do this again?

These days she's putting EVERYTHING into her mouth.

She is just so curious about everything.  She is always looking around.  

She's also drooling a lot.  We think she's teething due to the drooling, biting and other symptoms.  But she's still our happy baby!

She's also laughing all the time.  The other morning I was sitting in our living room eating my breakfast and I could hear her laughing to herself in her crib.  Most mornings I play the piggy game with her toes and I have been waiting for her to laugh when I say "Whee whee whee whee whee, all the way home" as I tickle her.  She finally did it today!

I know I say it every time, but I just love her!  I can't imagine wanting to do anything else than stay at home and be her mom.  I can't believe I get to call it my job!  I thank God for her every day and for the privilege of being her mom.  I also pray daily that God would save her at a young age and give her a love for Him and a desire to serve Him with her life.

Shirley at 4 Months

Well, here's the bimonthly blog post with Shirley's update.  :)  She is at the age where she can hold her number nicely now.  At least for a few seconds!  So every month, whenever I take pictures of Shirley, most of them turn out except the ones with her dog.  I figured out that he's throwing off the white balance!  Anyway, thankfully a few managed to turn out.

Shirley loves her daddy!  They have a lot of fun together going on "roller coasters" and making funny faces and sounds.  

Every day Shirley and I read some books together.  I brought out a few of my favorites recently.  They are a little old for her.  She much prefers baby Einstein books, but she'll listen to these for a couple minutes at least. 

I love my little snuggle bug.  This doesn't happen too often.  Only when she's really tired, but I try to soak in those moments!

I love giving her kisses.  Sometimes it makes her laugh.  She's making a lot more cooing sounds, but not so much of the "ba, ya, da, ma" sounds yet.  Hopefully soon.

This month, Shirley learned how to roll over from her back to her stomach.  I guess the more common thing is for babies to roll from their stomach to their back first but she doesn't do much of that.  It's made it much easier at nighttime though.  She immediately rolls to her stomach and sleeps that way the whole night.  No more swaddling for this girlie!

She definitely loves to grab things now...

...and stick them in her mouth!

Oh Shirley.

We love you!

Illustration

Last night Kwacha and I had some of our favorite younger people over - Alyssa, Parker and Reagan!  All three of them were in our wedding.  We found out that Parker's fave place to eat is Jimmy Dean's.  (Our friend, Lisa, said that this is why discipleship is important.  ;)  So for his belated birthday present, we took him and his sisters there for dinner and then they came over to our place for games and baking.  (Pumpkin cookies to be exact.)

After the baking, Reagan asked for some paper so she could draw.  Later on she asked for some tape so she could...tape.  When their mom came to pick them up she handed me a "package." 

 

Inside were some pictures and notes she made for us. 

After they left and Kwacha and I were just sitting on the couch, Kwacha started talking about Reagan's package and how sweet it is.  We know she made it for us because she loves us.  It's not perfect; the tape was sticking out, the pictures are simple, but we know the heart behind it and that's what made it sweet. 

Kwacha was saying that it's like us with God.  We seek to please Him in obedience, but it's not perfect.  Our righteousness is like filthy rags, but if we've put our trust in His Son and seek to honor Him, he sees our hearts.  It's a good test for me.  Am I doing what I do, seeking to honor Jesus because I love Him so much?  Or am I doing what I do to seek His favor, to try to earn something?

Reagan's pictures were mainly of fruit and butterflies and pizza, but she also drew something else.  I don't know if you can see it below.  It's right below the pizza.

 

I asked if Reagan wrote "donut".  (I assumed that's what "donet" meant.)  She said "No, it's 'done' with a cross."

I just liked how that summed up what Kwacha said last night.  And I didn't really think about it until this morning.  Jesus has already done it all on the cross.  Now we just get to obey Him in love.

 

And here's what Alyssa was doing while Reagan was drawing.

 

Taking pictures of my silly faces.

 

 

 

Mad About...

Pregnancy!

You better not be thinking that my baby looks like an alien.  (Okay actually you totally can, because I sure think she does right now.)  A friend at work thought her face was her whole body, but that's actually her arms and belly below her face.  I know these things can be hard to decipher.

 

Can I just say that I l.o.v.e. LOVE being pregnant?  I kinda always thought I would but wasn't sure.  I mean -- throwing up, having no energy, gaining weight that can be hard to lose, not to mention the PAIN of CHILDBIRTH!! what's so great about that?  But seriously, so far I have loved every (pretty much) minute of it.

 

By the way, totally lied up there.  I have not always thought I would love it.  When I was a kid I was freaked out at the thought of giving birth.  I had seen enough movies at a young age of women giving birth.  No thanks.  Adoption for me!  I really did tell my mom that I would adopt when I grew up.

However, the older I grew and the more I understood what an amazing thing pregnancy is, I couldn't wait.  I mean, really folks, a tiny little person grows INSIDE of you!  They feed off you, they call your belly home, and they live in there for 9 months!  It's crazy!  Kwacha is just fascinated by the idea that a baby's safest place is it's mothers womb.  You'd think with where technology is today (and it is pretty amazing how they can keep 24 week old babies alive now), they might even do better outside.  But God has created the perfect little environment for these sweet little things.

 

The "profile" shot.  It's really not, the sonographer couldn't get a good profile shot, but I like how she's waving.  :)

 

I know I might feel a little differently in about 20 weeks when I'm not getting any sleep at night but right now I can't wait to meet her. 

 

Here's a full body shot, head on the left, legs on the right.  She's about the length of a banana here head to toe.

 

And, I'm sorry if anyone finds the following inappropriate but....

 

...proof she's a girl!

 

The sonographer told us that in ultrasound school her teacher taught them that when looking for gender, for a girl you look for a hamburger (three lines).  Well, there it is!

I am so thankful that God would allow us to become parents and I pray that she would continue to do well in there so that we can meet her!  His sovereignty is always wise and good, so matter what happens, I am so thankful for the experience He's given us so far!

 

Cute Kids at the Wedding (and the fabulous Lauren Brown)

Penny Johnson pretty much made my night (you know, besides the whole getting married to Kwacha thing) she was so cute.  When I walked down the aisle she said, "Hi Princess."  And when I walked back down, she put out her arms to give me a hug.  :)

Who doesn't love a cute Duncan kid?

Parker is full of spirit!

These kids are some of Kwacha's favorite Jr. High students.

Friendies!!

Kristin is in the hospital gown.  (Sorry Kristin, but it IS on facebook and you look beautiful!  Megan is the other adult.  ;)  Devany is the one in the striped pants.  She is Megan's daughter.  January is holding Autumn and they are both Kristin's girls.  ;)
 

So, I am really excited because I get to see not one, but TWO of my best friends next week!  Pretty soon after college, most of my closest friends moved away, and not just one state over or anything, but on to the other side of the country!  Tennessee, Minnesota and Massachusetts!  Geesh.  What's a girl to do? 
 

Well, next Tuesday Megan is coming into town to meet Sara's new baby, Jessa, and I am going to pick her up from the airport.  It will be a quick thing but I am just thankful that I get to see her at all.  I'm thankful that Sara lives here, she is so close to Megan she is practically family.  (They grew up together in Montana.)  And Jason's sister and brother-in-law and their kids live here too.  All GREAT excuses to come out here and visit frequently. 
 

Then next Thursday, Emily and I are flying out to Massachusetts to visit the Cooley's/Fish's/DeFilippo's!  We are staying with Kristin and Megan's parents, the Cooley's, and we finally get to meet January, Devany and the newest girl in the family, Autumn!  Can you tell that I can't wait??!! 

 

 

We are going to a baseball game one evening in Boston, and we may go apple picking in the New England fall weather!  Can you believe that?  I always think of the end of Anne of Avonlea when I think of apple picking, when Anne and the once-evil-turned-nice principal are picking apples.  :)

 

It has been three years since we've seen Kristin (she came out to stay with us when my dad died and was a major help) and even longer since we've seen Megan!  It's hard to believe that it's been that long.

 

So.  I will obviously have much to post about after we get back.  I love my friends and I am so thankful for the chance to see them.

The Friend Files

Ashley Wauhop

Next up is my wondeful friend, Ashley!

I first met her at a staff meeting when she and her hubby, Robert, joined high school staff at church.  But we really became friends when I went to work at Grace to You.  Ashley had been working there for almost a year.

Ashley is really funny, really down to earth and "real" and just plain fun to be around.  I loved our walks we took together on our morning breaks.  I was so encouraged by her and her desire to be more like Christ.  I still am!  You should check out her blog sometime.

Here are her answers:

What is your full name?

Ashley Joelle Wauhop (technically Smith)

Is there any significance behind it?

No, my mom, along with half of the other moms in 1987, thought that she was an innovator with this new, cool name - she was wrong  
Any funny stories in connection with it?
Not except for the fact that after almost three years i STILL have my maiden name!  (I'm not a feminist, just a little lazy and cheap.)

What is your favorite book?

Let the Nations Be Glad: the Supremacy of God in Missions  by John Piper and Feminine Appeal by Caroline Mahaney

Why?

I read it when i was first "becoming a Calvinist" and it really explained a lot of things and revolutionized the way i thought! and, I just read this and it was SO practical!

Where is your favorite place to eat in the greater L.A. area?

Probably Poquito Mas  

Why?

Because it's amazing!

Have you ever left the country?

YES!  

Where did you go?

Costa Rica, Germany, Kenya, Dominican Republic, Mexico (and the Bahamas, but that is part of the US, technically, right? i didn't need a passport!)  

What did you do?

All were missions trips except Mexico - honeymoon in Playa Mujeres and the Bahamas was my senior trip in high school.  

What is your dream job?

Stay at home wife and mom!  

Are you doing your dream job right now?

YES!

What do you do?

I stay at home with my baby girl and take care of our home!!

Who do you look up to?

Wendy Kane, Caroline Mahaney, Melissa Norton, Carly Brannon  

Why?

They are great, super godly, fun, amazing moms!

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

Go to Africa...basically by myself!

Details!

Basically, I almost died!  Long story short, someone broke into the house I was staying in and we had to flee for lives in the middle of the night. My parents even called the Embassy, haha.  It all worked out, though :)

What is the first concert you ever went to?
KingsFest, I think.  It's like all of these Christian bands at King's Dominion amusement park in VA - there was Superchick, Relient K, Third Day, etc...

What are you thankful for?

My salvation, my husband, Maggie, my friends, and my church!

If you had a baby elephant, what would you name it?

The first thing that came to mind was "Trunks" but, I'd eventually think of something better.

Thank you much, Ashley!  Love ya!

The Mallon Family

(Okay, Sara I hope you're not upset if I post these. I'm sure there aren't too many people that will get your Christmas card that also read my blog. :)

The Mallons were super sweet to let me practice on them and take some Christmas-y pictures. I learned that I still have a lot to learn, especially when it comes to photographing kids! But it was fun and they were great! Their photogenic faces did much for my poor photography skills! Anyway, here are a few from the little session we did. I love the hats and if the sun had been in the right spot you could have seen the cute little Christmas poles Sara made. The Mallon's are a fun, hospitable family with two cute kiddos!

Caleb looks like he's contemplating doing something mischevious. ;)

It was a bit windy, but I think this one of you and Kali May is so cute!

Like I said, wind.

Slightly different from the top pic. ;)

Pinteresting Wednesdays

Well, I planned on having another post up inbetween this and the last one, but I just didn't get around to it. My life needs to be a tad more interesting! Ha. Right now it's clearly just pinteresting. Ba doom ch!

Anyway, here are my weekly pins!

I've always wanted to get married in a church, but this idea just may have me changing my mind. I never thought about having an outside wedding at night!


This week, I found a grown up tent! I don't how I will accomplish this, but someday I WILL have one of these in my house.


I love the outfit ideas you can find on Pinterest. When I don't know what to wear I usually open my computer to this board and find some inspiration.


Um. Do I need to write any words about this? I think not.


So fantastic.


There's just something so well...romantic about twinkle lights.


I would want this birthday party even at this age!


I like this simple idea for a bookmark. I'm always in need of a bookmark.


Aren't these the cutest? Who says someone needs to be getting married to break these out?


The twist braid. Wish I had more time in the mornings.


Hehe...does this make me a nerd that I like this so much?


Two words: yum and my. I haven't tried these yet, but my friend Ashley has and she said they were amazing!


Perfect DIY for the oncoming Autumn weather!


Who doesn't want to know how to make their own Frosty??


There is something so whimsical about this.


There was more but you'd get tired of it. Until next week!