A Place Where Friends and Family Can Be Updated

I hope you like the changes on the page :) I was procrastinating and thought I would spend my time updating this page. Not that I believe anyone outside my immediate family and *immediate* friends sees it - still it's fun.

So, Today is the last day of the Feast of Trumpets and Brandon had to work right smack-dab in the middle of it. :( . . The Lord has allowed Brandon to have the other days we've requested off so far so I"m not sure what the difference of today is. It isn't for lack of prayer and petition :). I'm working on the 'rejoicing' part still as it is commanded.

Primary is going fabulous. The Lord has allowed Brandon to get amazing scores on his graded SIMS and flights so far. They are graded 1 - 5. 3 being your standard "Pass" with nothing spectacular. God has given Brandon 5's and 4's which is unusual at this point. 5's mean basically it was 'perfect'. One instructor was so impressed he actually printed out Brandon's results to keep! This really can only be because of God, though. Brandon and I frequently remark that it has to be since Brandon doesn't near put in the time or stress the world says is needed because we're applying the lessons learned in College. Basically it's God first, family second and then the work place (even as much as he loves physics and flying). Not that he DOESN't put effort in - he truly does. It's just when he's at work he'll go 100% keeping an eye out for where God might need him and then he comes home. When he's home, he's home. Some days he'll study at home simply because it's nicer than going in to study on base but it definitley is less than 50% of the time. . . The Lord has honored his efforts to not get sucked in - just as He did in College when we as a family first learned this balancing act. I am proud of Brandon for his efforts. Efforts towards not being sucked into the worrying and over-working pitfall that is Primary for so many and when he is home he really is home with us in mind and heart as well. . . That aside Brandon is a little confused in how come there isn't as much of a 'ministry' opportunity here as there usually is. Although we are thinking it is because of this whole Time-Balance thing along with a newborn. God might be cutting him a break and/or telling him to enjoy a season of relaxing with family instead of multiple friendships that are a challenge to his faith and an opportunity to witness. Not for lack of trying, mind you. Just nothing has panned out.
-I, on the other hand, have seemed to be hit with a lot of chances to witness. Some I've shirked - much to my shame - and others I've grasped and fumbled my out-of-practice-relying-on-God self through. . . Mainly it has been with Christine, our neighbor. She's been a good friend to me and one with a lot of questions. Some I've not had the answer to and had to come back. Keep her and I in your prayers - the flesh has so many excuses and twists to give.
-Brandon found out/read that "meditate on God's Word" means "to mutter" as in a verbal response throughout the day. Not too surprising since much of the prayers and such in the bible the literal word has a spoken connotation attatched with it. So he and I decided to do such a thing. We're taking a few verses each day and 'muttering' them as we remember. I tell you what, the 15th time around or so creates a different angle of thinking from the first cursory reading! We're taking Genesis and attempting to memorize as we mutter. We figure if young jewish boys can do it - why not us? The Creation is one wild event, let me tell you. . .
-Arielle has been fabulous as long as we are intentional to feed her heart attention. Unfortunately some days she feels she needs more than can be physically given. Those days are hard for both her and I but they happen. I still am attempting to figure out a schedule that works for all of us. Often that is hard with a husband whose schedule you do not know until 5 pm the night before - sometimes later. I shouldn't complain too much though - not many see their husband as much as the Navy allows me to. At this point in his Navy Career at least. I'm sure it's made up later in Deployments and Underways. Anywho Arielle continues to add words to her vocabulary and it's fun to try and get her to repeat things. She also is getting big. We've been checking craigslist and the stores for some fall/winter clothing as the season has changed
-Ellia is about 13 lbs and 25 and 1/2 inches long. It's the first time I've really measured her in awhile and it makes her in the 10th percentile for weight. That's a drop from her first month of life. It has me a mite worried but then again I've never denied her eating and actually am feeding her more at night than I was with Arielle at this time. In fact, with what we do with our version of "schdeuling" i'm often offering her feedings even before she whines to eat. I'll keep my eye on it and maybe - finally - take her to the doctor. It's just always such a hassle. I'll probably try and nurse her in a quieter area and see if she'll nurse longer without doggies, phones and an older sister distracting her curious mind. We'll see, sometimes that's just not possible. She'll still do a rudimentary crawl on all fours with her head balancing as she scoots. It's funny - I've been trying to get a pic but been in the wrong place usually to do so.
-Dogs (this is for you cai) they are still around. Sam is a model pup while Solo is often in his kennel or under a glaring eye. He is figuring it all out but taking a long time. I don't know that I would EVER get another puppy. I think 10 mos worked perfect for SAM. . . or maybe I just would never get another Kennel puppy like Solo who was never taught to go outside to go potty. . .at this point, though, Solo is Arielle's primary playmate. They will play together upwards of an hour wrestling together.