Saturday, August 21, 2010

Josiah Paul Hazelet

Josiah, my nephew, was born at 7.78 pounds and 20 inches on August 20, 2010. I now have some pictures of him to share.

My sister was in labor for 6 hours, which is pretty fast for a first-time birth, and Aubrey and Josiah are doing well. Aubrey did have some issues after she had Josiah...she passed out twice from standing-up, but the nurses are keeping a close eye on her and she has vowed to stop acting up.

Look at him sleeping. I bet he never cries. I am not sure what sort of meds the nurse is giving him here. Maybe they administer sleep medication these days.

Doesn't Josiah look cute all rolled up like a burrito in this photo?

I wish I could hold him!


Maybe Josiah will be a good-sleeper like his mom.





I have a very similar picture of Andy holding Julia. It is sort of surreal to me (and probably also to him) that he has a baby of his own now. Andy's already started changing diapers -- two thumbs up, Andy Dad!

In just two weeks from today, I get to go visit this little family of three and wish them congratulations on Josiah's very, very first birthday. I can't wait to get to hold that little bundle of joy! Unfortunately Dave and the girls won't get to come with me this time, but the Hazelet's will be visiting us for Thanksgiving, so my family will get to see him pretty soon. I will miss my girls and Dave so much, but in the same breath, I will relish the four days of vacation from my two little preschoolers. I know I'll be smiling and crying as I am whisked away in an airplane. It'll definitley be bittersweet, but I am hoping it will be positive for all of us.
Anyway, It hadn't occured to me until just now that I've never really pictured how little Josiah would look after he was ushered into this new world. But as you can see, God gave him a cute little crop of hair and a precious little face. I can't believe that my baby sister just had a baby!

And now, we'll enlighten you with a word from our sponsors


Thanks so much for reading about my very new nephew. Lots of love, Aunt Amber

P.S. Andy, I still need some pictures of Aubrey!! Thanks. :)

Friday, August 20, 2010

Baby Hazelet

Josiah Paul is almost here! We are excited to hear all about his arrival. I will keep you all posted on the birth of my nephew when I get pictures and more information. I told Julia this morning that Josiah is being born, and she is already anxious to hold him. Love, Amber

Sunday, August 15, 2010

It's the Holiday Season!

At least as far as I'm concerned!!! I know some of you are about to hate me a lot right now, but I can't help myself!! I love all things fall, winter and holiday!

August is when it all starts for me. My birthday is on the 24th, Dave's is on September 13th, and my siblings' birthday's are also in September. Then there is my father-in-law's birthday, and my Dad's birthday, with Halloween smack dab in the middle. Then it's turkey time and CHRISTMAS!! Julia's birthday is right in between Thanksgiving and Christmas too! I've already started the annoying habit of humming and singing Christmas songs. Don't you miss it people? It's been 8 months already. My kids like it at least. :)

I think Julia is going to grow up to be just like me in this area. (I am sure it has nothing to do with my influence over her.) Julia and I went to Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago. We were absolutely giddy over all the Christmas decorations that are already out. We sauntered into the fall aisles as well, and I loved picturing our family celebrating Thanksgiving in our new home. The scent of the cinnamon candles almost put me over the top! I actually had to hold back tears. I am so excited!

I am excited to let my girls help me decorate the house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am excited to trim the tree as a family. I am excited for my girls to get to meet their new baby cousin, Josiah Paul Hazelet. I am excited to pretend like it is cold outside and drink hot cocoa or hot apple cider together. I am excited to light a fire in the fire place, even if it's unnecessary. I am excited to listen to Julia and Lydia play with their fisher-price nativity scene, talking about baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the others. I am excited to see my family at Thanksgiving, and Dave's family at Christmas. I am excited to kiss Dave underneath the mistletoe, visit mall Santa's, eat turkey, listen to Christmas songs sung by Bing Crosby, and watch old Christmas movies. I am excited to attend holiday parties and church gatherings. I am just so excited!

I think this year is even more meaningful to me because last year was so hard. Thankfully, it was not near as bad as I thought it was at the time. I was just depressed about our new location, and, needless to say, that can really put a downer on things. I had a hard time choosing joy. I had to really gear myself up for the holidays instead of anticipate them with giddyness like I usually do. So, this year I am going to make up for last year's lack of enthusiasm. And, I think I am going to start NOW! Sorry, if you have to endure any of my holiday humming when it is still 100 degrees outside. Love, Amber

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Stewart Weekly

So, our lives are pretty boring right now. Sorry blogworld...I just don't have a lot to offer. But, what I do have to offer, I will gladly share.

Stewart Weekly News:

I love Francine Rivers' books. I am reading the Mark of the Lion Series for the third time, and I still can't put it down. I love all of her brilliant, well-written novels!

I finished the first book a few days ago, and have been so disappointed in realizing what I already knew to be true. The second book of the trilogy has gone missing from my personal library. I think I loaned it out a year or two ago. I checked to see if our local public library had it, and they do, but I was something like fourth in line to put it on hold. So, then, I got the bright idea to get it from our church library. But, the library was closed when we were there on Wednesday night. How disappointing! I decided to be patient until Sunday. However, that idea didn't last long, and, I got the idea of talking my sweet husband into swinging by the library today to check-it-out for me. (Yes, I am that obsessive.) He told me that it was just not possible for him to leave work during the day (even during lunch break) to run an errand because things have been too stressful at work. Poor Dave...he has been working so hard. Poor me...having to take the advice I give my daughters daily about having discipline and patience.

Lo and behold, Dave surprised me when he got home with the book from the church library. It was extremely nice of him to go out of his way to run by the church to grab it for me! I have no idea why I am not reading it RIGHT NOW; except that, I am already in the fourth chapter and I know what happens next, and it makes me sad.

Dave and I are going to take our turn in leading our small group this upcoming fall. I am excited that we are because that will force me to be even more involved and get to know the wonderful ladies in our small group better. I'm not really a shy person, per-se, but it does take me a little while to get warmed-up. Dave will love the teaching aspect of leading (but finding the time to prepare will be the tricky part). We probably won't have additional homework in comparison to our other group members, but we will have to be much more diligent about actually finishing the "homework assignments" than we have been. It will be a revitalizing challenge for us both.

The girls and I plan on attending MOPS again this year. I am so looking forward to it! Please hold while I double check what day that starts!

We went to a birthday party tonight for one of our little neighbor boys. He turned 9 this week, but he still counts our girls as some of his good friends. The girls got to break open a pinata, eat pizza and cake, swim in a kiddie pool, and splash on a water slide. Dave and I got to eat some delicious, traditional Mexican food for dinner, (including cactus) while we were immersed in a different culture, and language, and watched our girls have a great time. They had such a good time, in fact, that we were met with great opposition from them when it was time to go home. Bummer!

A lady from my community's online women's group emailed me today about getting together next week for a play date. I don't know her or her 3.5 year-old twin girls from Adam (or Eve) , but I am so excited to make her acquaintance. I would love for us to have some more friendships blossom right here in our own 'hood.

Meeting new people, grasping for friendships in a humongous city, learning about other cultures, and watching my kiddos grow, these are the things I will remember when I am old. I am so thankful for each and every memory we are making. I know that when I think back on these times, they will seem as sweet as honey. I am so thankful that God knows more about me than I do. I am here for Him and by Him, and, I'll do the best I can to bring Him the glory He deserves while I'm on this earth. Although, I know that I will grossly underestimate how wonderful, powerful, wise and holy God is, I'll do the best I can to bring Him glory and strive to teach my kids to do the same. At least, that's something to keep on prayin' for.

Well, I guess that's about it for this time. I'm not sure how I got where I ended up, but I'm glad that my ramblings ended on a positive note! Love to you all, Amber

Monday, August 9, 2010

Drawrings.

Julia and Lydia are very into drawing right now. Julia loves to draw faces: And she is learning to write her name. Her first attempt:
Of course, I think both of my girls are genius....but that's just me. Happy 8-9-10! -Amber