Finn update

Over the past couple of weeks Finn has been doing pretty well. I just got a text message this morning that he hit 3lbs! He is slowly but surely eating more and gaining ounces. His doctor wants him to work on maintaining his own body tempterature so Anne and Noah have started putting him in clothes and wrapping him up tight in blankets. It's probably the cutest thing I've ever seen. Stay tuned for pictures of his Halloween costume! Oh yes, he isn't going to miss out on trick-or-treating just because he's in the NICU! :)
Here he is in his stylish rugby stripes.

I think the little premie size hats are adorable!

On a sadder note, Monday their hospital had a little memorial service for families who have lost babies. Anne and Noah went to remember Jackson. They said it was obviously hard to do, but they were glad they went. They've brought his ashes home and put them in the nursery. It kind of feels like he's "keeping the place warm" until Finn comes home. I miss you baby.

Confidence in God

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalms 27:13-14

"The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." Psalms 145:13b

About a week ago I wrote this verse (Ps. 27:13-14) down on an index card and set it on my bathroom counter. Every time I'm in the bathroom I read it once or twice, sometimes unconsciously now. It has encouraged me so I wanted to share it with you. Be confident in the Lord. He will fulfill His promises. He has never failed to come through - not once! What a great God we serve.

Be confident and take heart. Our God is sovereign over all creation.

mommy jane

This week I "played mom" for a family here in town. The parent's were gone for the week, traveling on the Kanakuk Movie Tour and they asked me to stay with 4 of their 7 kiddos. I had so much fun! We carved pumpkins, I let them eat fast food for dinner, we swam in the hot tub at my house, watched movies, and stayed up past bedtime. I also did my "mom" tasks of making sure homework was done, writing notes to the bus driver, taking them to school when they miss the bus, brushing hair, and convincing them they really do need to brush their teeth.

You may be thinking that this week made me realize "ok, I know I like kids but I'm definitely not ready for motherhood." But no, it only makes me more excited for that time to come! I love every part of it - even the discipline and dirty laundry. :)

But for now, I'm back at my apartment by myself with a cup of cocoa, a cozy blanket, and a chick flick.

I LOVE CELINE

If you're my friend you already know that I LOVE Celine Dion. I don't care at all if you think it's dorky or if she only makes you think of the sappy song from "Titanic". I have always been a huge fan! Since last Christmas I have anxiously been counting down the days until I finally see her live in concert!! I got two tickets as a Christmas present last year to her show in Kansas City on November 15th. I'm taking my good friend Jill who is a fellow Celine fan and avid concert goer. Since last Christmas Jill and I periodically send each other emails or text messages that may read only "103 days!!!!!!!!". There's no question what we are talking about - days until CELINE! Oh - did I mention the tickets are in the 12th row? Yeah, that's right I said row 12!

Today we are at 23 days until the big day. Are you ready Jill?!! I sure am. :)

been too long...

I really want to be a better blogger. I check my friend's blogs everyday (ok, sometimes more than once a day when I'm really bored) and I'm always dissapointed that they haven't posted something new. Well, they are probably feeling the same way about me! I'm going to try and post more often. It's fun to just talk to you! Who knows if you are really even reading for if you care...but here goes.

My dad just emailed me the link to a place he booked us for Christmas. We are spending Christmas in San Diego this year (of course). We all are dying to see Finn again! Check this place out. www.homeatthewaves.com I already emailed my dad back asking if we can stay for a month! Who needs work? Let's just lounge at the beach and ooh and ahh over Finn all day! That sounds like the life to me.

It's starting to get colder in Branson and the air is getting drier. My hair is starting to get that static that makes all of my little whispies stand up straight on my head. It's a real nice look. I think I'm going to have to invest in some good pomade or something for my bangs this winter. For today a bobby pin will have to do the trick.

More to come...stay tuned. (if you want) :)
jane

Weekend in San Diego

I just got home from my weekend in San Diego. It was so much fun to see my sisters, brother-in-law and my nephew. We visited Finn a couple times, picked out the crib bedding, painted the nursery, and ate at yogurt land (YUM)! It was much too short of a trip. I can't wait to go back at Christmas and hopefully see Finn at home, not the hospital. I got to see both Anne and Noah hold him and it made me so jealous. I can't wait until we are all able to hold him and play with him and watch him do all kinds baby things. For now, he is sleeping a lot and taking small steps toward being a "normal" baby.

Well...I've been traveling all day and I feel kind of fuzzy, so I've got to get off the computer. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.


Anne, Amy and I at the beach.
Finn all wrapped up in his new "Redskins" blanket from Grandma!
The nursery
Yogurtland!!!

Here I come Finn!

Finn - tomorrow when you open your eyes you'll see me! I'm off to San Diego tonight. Can't wait!! I think Anne and I are going to paint the nursery. I'll post some pics throughout the weekend if I can.

traveling jane

So, I'm about to hit the road. Tomorrow I have to drive to Kansas City and back. I have to get my fingerprints done at the immigration office there. The family I live with is adopting from Africa and since I live in their house I have to grow through all of the background checks they do. I downloaded an audiobook so hopefully that makes the drive go by a little faster. After Kansas City I'm home for a night then I head to San Diego. That will be a fun trip! My little sister and I are heading out there for the weekend. I can't wait to see my nephew! I can't believe he is one month old already. I'll try to post some pictures and updates while I'm out there.

Well, I'm going to get the laundry out and finish cleaning up the house. Then off to bed to rest up for my big day of driving! Can you hear the excitement in my typing?

None But Jesus

In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that you are God
In the secret of your presence
I know there I am restored
When you call I won't refuse
Each new day, again I'll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion
I know you're sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do your will
When you call I won't delay
This my song through all my days

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

I am yours and you are mine...

All my delight is in you Lord
All of my hope
All of my strength
All my delight is in you Lord
Forevermore

Check this out

This is absolutely my favorite picture so far of my nephew, Finn. Such a precious moment with his daddy! :) I don't know if you can tell, but he's gripping Noah's finger. Look at how small his hands are! No matter how big or small a person is, they just need their daddy to be there. I'm so thankful that my heavenly Dad has been there through all of these moments that I just needed something steady to grip on to. This tiny 1 lb. baby and his sweet brother have taught me more about relying on God than anything else in my life. I can't wait to tell him someday how much his life has affected mine. I'm in love! :) I'm going to see him next weekend and I can't wait.

In other news...I haven't ever blogged about work! As you probably know, I work for an incredible ministry called Afterdark. We are gearing up for our fall semester of events. Here's where we are going as of today. If I'm coming near you please come to the event and see me! I'm actually not going to all of them so comment if you want to come to one to see if I'm going to be there. You can see event details (place, time, and band playing) on our website www.whatsafterdark.com.

10/15 Univ. of TN

10/21 Pepperdine

10/22 USC

10/27 Murray State

10/29 SMU

11/12 UNC Wilmington

10/13 Appalachian State

10/18 FSU

10/19 Troy Univ.

I hope you're having a great Wednesday. We are halfway to the weekend! Yay!