Baby Rees

Isn't she beautiful?

I AM AN AUNT!!

I am so excited to be an aunt to beautiful Rees Elizabeth Roemer. I didn't realize how excited I would be about this. I have officially decided to not find out what we are having when we have our third. This waiting to know the sex is so thrilling!

I am so excited to see my boys grow up with their wonderful cousin, to raise our children with Joel and Katie, and to simply relish the fact that we have an amazing family. Boy, girl, it does not matter. They are all precious gifts from our God. But I'm still going to have fun buying some pink!!

Before I forget

A few thoughts from Owen after we said our bed time prayers:
"Mama, you my best friend."
"Dada's my best friend too."
"You Daddy's really best friend?"
"You love Daddy, and me and Eli."
"This feels good Mama."
(We always snuggle under the blankets before I leave the room)
"Let's be a family ever and ever."
"You know sick people over all world?"
"Sick people at church too."
"We need help them."

Yes, Owen this feels good. I am proud to be your Mama!

Thankful

I truly am thankful. I look at the pictures above and fall in love with my life all over again. I am learning this year that there is no reason to ever complain. I have always been a complainer. A bad trait my husband must deal with. This year, I choose to be thankful for every part of my life. I choose to look at the little things, like snow on Eli's eyelashes or Owen's mischievous smile.

At times, I get bogged down with the imperfect things in life, but I see now that those imperfections are little blessings guiding me through this journey. My life isn't perfect, but my Savior is.

I choose to be thankful, to look closely and to love fully.

Fun with Mayor Elect, Uncle Keith.

We had family in town last weekend and the weather was beautiful. We took advantage of this and took several pictures outside. We love living across the street from My Aunt Beth and Uncle Keith. Owen often wants to play with their dog Hoover ("Hooter" when Owen says it--it gets a chuckle every time). Aaron took a few pictures of Owen and Keith having fun reading and playing the harmonica. Keith was nice enough to take a picture of our family in front of this beautiful sugar maple. We are so blessed with wonderful family and friends. Life is good.
You will notice Owen's boo boo in the pictures. He is doing fine now. No worries.

Halloween

I can't believe October has already passed! As you can see, Eli was a sweet baby lion (Owen's costume at this age) and Owen was an Illini "football player." We had great fun trick or treating at the girl's dorm at LCC. Many of Owen's favorite people are there. Both boys are growing up right before my eyes. I had to snap pictures of Eli when we had time alone before the big night. It was a beautiful fall day to be out on the front porch. He is just so calm and even tempered. A perfect muse for my camera! It's difficult to get Owen to stand still for a second, so he was a little harder to capture. Daddy took some great pictures the other day of Owen while he was playing. Those will be up soon. I guess I better prepare for the holiday season. Christmas will be here before I know it. I must take time to stop and breathe in deeply the sweet fragrance of memories being made. Like I always say, life goes by too quickly, especially with a little lion cub and a football player!

Autumn Blessings

The fall festivities continue. We just can't get enough. We had a wonderful time at Funks Grove. It truly was beautiful. Owen watched the blacksmiths, wood carvers, and hide stretchers. He made his very own pumpkin friend at a "Pumpkin Boutique" and ran around the beautiful property for hours. It was a wonderful day as a family. Eli was smiling at everyone, like he usually does. After our time at Funks Grove Owen picked out his Halloween costume. He will be a "football guy." He is crazy for this costume. He puts it on about 3 times a day. He has to make sure his pads are on right, his helmet is in place, and then he's ready to run with his football. I think this costume was a great investment. He and Eli will be wearing it for years to come! This weekend we continue to celebrate fall at our church's 25th Harvest of Talents. My wonderful mother-in-law is coming to help me with the boys. I'm sure it will be a blessed day as well.

Enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Remember he made all of this for you...he's trying to draw you closer to Him with these blessings. I'm learning more about our wonderful God as I read "The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God." Thank you Ella May for giving this book to me. This book is teaching me to look for the little and big ways that God is trying to woo me to Himself. I see that he is filled with wild beauty and wants me to be captured by His love. My deepest desires are being transformed as I learn about this "crazy in love with me God."

Where do I begin?

I can't even begin to cover all that is going on in the Roemer family right now, so I will post just a few of my favorite pics from fun times. I will post more soon. For now, I will say that life is busy and wonderful at the same time. God is good.

Together for Lincoln

Today was one of those days I don't ever want to forget. I was able to be a part of the amazing project the churches of Lincoln decided to partake in: Together for Lincoln. I saw my husband and 2-year-old son painting a house, I watched my Dad hold the hands of the elderly, my mom push Eli's stroller so I could chase after Owen, and finally, I watched an entire city worshiping as one body in Christ. It was breath taking! I lifted my arm in worship as I held Eli in the other and gazed at Owen and Aaron as they sang. To my left was an elderly woman I had never met, but instantly felt like she could be my grandma. It was a good day, it was a beautiful night, it is going to be a wonderful year of watching the Holy Spirit move in this town.

www.togetherforlincoln.com

The Wonder of Fall

We have had so much fun over the past few weeks. We picked pumpkins, rode a pony, went on a wagon and train ride, played with wonderful friends (Abi-I think you will always have a place in Owen's heart), and ate lots of yummy fall food.
I love fall. I love the smells, the cooling temperatures, the fun ways I can dress the boys in those cooling temps, the leaves, and so much more. Take a minute to enjoy God's creation during this season...it lasts for such a short time

Am I good enough?

I often wonder if I'm really good enough to be a mommy, wife and teacher. I wonder if I will ever keep the house as clean as it should be, the laundry done and in the drawers, supper on the table and tasty, patient enough to teach, love and heal hurts. I really don't think I am and so I rely on ways to find inspiration. I recently found http://aholyexperience.com/ I don' t know who the woman is that posts these profound thoughts with such honesty and spirituality. I only hope that her words can encourage me to be better at all of the roles I must play in this life.

My Baby

I don't know if my heart can hold all of the love I have for this baby. I love to look at Eli's sweet face, watch him smile and listen to his little voice. I often said that I wanted my second to be a baby girl, but how could I ever wish for that when I have this beautiful baby boy in my life. I'll take a team of boys if that is what the Lord wants for me. I love my boys, I love what I'm learning from being a mom to boys, and I love that the Lord feels I can take on the challenge. Thank you Lord for letting me see one of your miracles every single day!

Made me laugh.

I am currently working on a digital photo album (Winkflash has an amazing deal right now). While looking through the thousands of pictures we have on our computer, I found this one of Owen when he was about 14 months old. I love how he still makes this face and still shows signs of being 100% boy--sword or no sword. I can't wait to see what Eli's big boy personality will be like. He is already my little charmer, but I know he'll have days where he looks as mischievous as Owen does here.

Owen Graduates!

I LOVE our church. We have an amazing childrens program. Owen has made the toddler room his church home for over a year and last Sunday it was time for him to graduate. Yes, that's right. A real graduation ceremony, invitations, cap and certificate. I couldn't believe how cute the formal invitation was when it came in the mail. There was even a little insert with his name and the font was embossed. To be honest, I cried! This is just the beginning of the many steps Owen will take. I thought back to all of my graduation celebrations and only remembered feeling happy. I never thought about how my parents might be feeling...bitter sweet feelings because each move up meant saying goodbye was coming closer. I know I have 16 plus years with Owen, but I also know that if the rest of his life goes as fast as these 2 and half years did, he will be out of the house before I know it. For now, I will treasure my little boy. I will give him plenty of hugs and kisses, hold him in my lap and sing songs to him in bed (while he still loves all of those things).

Pictures and Fun at the Museum

We had a great day at the children's museum in Normal. I love how my son didn't want to wear the painter's apron, so he simply went shirtless!

Have I mentioned how much I love my parents? They are always there to help me out with the boys. Aaron was at work on Friday and I didn't want to go to the museum alone. It was great to have papa and nana there so we cold take turns entertaining Eli (which is not hard to do) and take Owen to the "Potty." I'm not sure what I would do without them. Thanks mom and dad! We also had pictures taken at Portrait Innovations. It was an eventful day!

Owen and his Harmonica

We found this harmonica at our condo during vacation. Owen always makes us laugh. I think Eli really appreciated Owen's ability to share.
Excuse the messy room. I was trying to keep things in order, but decided it was vacation and relaxed a little more than I do at home.

Precious Eli

Isn't he just the sweetest little man you have ever seen? I L-O-V-E being his Mommy!

New Smyrna Beach

We just couldn't keep up with that naked boy!

Fun times with Papa

Say "cheese" goggle boys!

Posing

Beautiful View