New Life

This morning, as I enjoy my sweet and growing toddler (who seems to be accomplishing something new and exciting every minute), my mind wanders to when she was born. This is partially because I'm excited about our son Aaron joining us in May and because my cousin just welcomed his first baby, a daughter, into the world last night. I am so excited for them. She's healthy and they are about to enter into the biggest, scariest, and most joy filled adventure. I don't consider myself an expert after a short 19 months on the journey, but I do take hold of the many blessings I've encountered and the lessons I've learned. I think about how quickly one changes in the first year of life and how many advances they make. I hope that I am changing that much in my life and still making advances toward the goal...becoming more like Christ and affecting the world for His glory. Sophie has affected my life so much, turned it inside out. I know Emily will do this for my cousin and his wife. I also know as followers of Christ, we are supposed to do this in the world we live in.

So, dear friends, go out today and turn the world upside down...doing good and affecting everyone around you for the glory of the Heavenly Father. Enjoy the miracle of life and how exciting change can be.

The Curtains cover a multitude of sins...

Whenever Sophie is doing something she knows is wrong, she hides behind the curtain to do it...I think she still thinks I have no clue.

Can't we go anywhere?!

So, the past few days we've been at home because Sophie has been teething and not feeling like herself. She understands that she doesn't feel well, but not that it should keep her at home. Several times a day she's been saying "bye bye momma" and going to the door. Today, she went straight for the backpack...maybe then Momma would get the hint! In the end, she settled for watching cartoons with her pack.

Sophie and her Pony

Wonderful days...

My parents were able to come down for the day on Friday and it was perfect weather to take Sophie to the park. We had so much fun with the sunny treat and Sophie had a wonderful time showing off and playing with Poppy and Grammy! I am so thankful that Josh's and my parents are close and involved. They may be tired after spending a day with Sophie, but all have fun. These are the kind of days that make Sophie believe everyone is around to watch or entertain her! For a couple more months at least, right? You wouldn't know from the picture of me, and baby Aaron, that I still have 2 months!

Maybe Sophie won't be in charge of baby brother when he comes...

Good Days

We're having so much fun with Sophie these days. It seems as if overnight she has become a "big girl!" I love how many discoveries she makes and how I can see her brain putting pieces of life together. I love our girl. Here are some fun pictures of around...


Busy....


Learning how to be a sister...so nurturing.
Feeding and helping baby look out the window.


Driving baby around the house...
we'll probably have to watch her with baby Aaron...very closely!


More window watching.

A busy week...learning new things

I am stealing a couple of minutes to blog because Sophie is playing with Josh...even though I'm in the other room, I love hearing all the squeals and giggles that Sophie is letting out. We love daddy!

This has been a busy week...no one except another stay-at-home mom would really think so, but for Sophie and me, it's busy. Monday was my mom's group and Sophie is learning to get past her separation fears and enjoy the nursery. There is a sweet worker, Teacher Pam, that is there every time and we are so blessed by her service. Sophie loves her and I am so glad someone is loving and taking care of my girl. Tuesday was the indoor gym at our church where we just pull out the nursery toys into the gym and kids come and play...it's free, by the way, if you're in the area. Such a great thing for when the days are cold and rainy. Sophie is learning how to share. She is very polite and says thank-you when she steals the toy, but it's stealing just the same :-) Other kids could care less if she thanks them before grabbing what they were playing with! Then, following a nap, we got to go play with Auntie Melinda and Mason. One day Mason, who is 8 months, is really going to get back at Sophie for all she does to him. She was feeding him cereal pieces and of course it was 2 for her and 1 for him. Sometimes she would get it almost to his mouth, he'd be smiling and reaching, then she'd put it quickly into her mouth! Such a little stinker...just getting ready to be a big sis. Wednesday, she got to play with Jayden and Crystal, who came down from Salem. Jayden had her laughing so hard...the whole time. Then, when we were all in the car, he asked to hold her hand. Love kids. Today we're going to get outside... I just decided that because it's such a beautiful day. We'll play with Sophie's friend Mira...who is so well behaved; I'm hoping Sophie takes notes! We'll round off the week with a trip to Portland to see Poppy and Grandma.

So, such a wordy way to say...We're blessed with so many people surrounding us that we love and we can have such fun with. Such a week to count our many blessings and be thankful that God has us right where He planned for right now. He is a good, faithful God who will never leave nor forsake--My current mommy lesson :-)

So, enjoy your day and know we love you. If we didn't hang out with you this past week...chances are high we did :-), hopefully our meeting with be soon!

Just a thought...

As a woman and a mother who nurses my babies, I am so annoyed! Not with the people who have said they do not want to see breastfeeding in public, but with the women who do not realize or seem to care how inappropriate they are being.
This is not something to battle about. Cover up and get over yourself. It is so easy to nurse and stay covered...it can even be stylish with what has been created these days. Even I, a fellow woman and mother, do not want to see your breast hanging out. Yes, it's natural, but that doesn't make it sightly or appropriate. It's gross and not fair to everyone's sons and husbands that are subjected to it. No one tips their waiter enough in a restaurant for them to have to look at it. No one is so much more important than another person to make them uncomfortable by having to be next to someone who is nursing in a crowded facility.
So unless you are home alone, or with close girlfriends who have kids of their own...please just cover your body. It is respectful to yourself because God created those areas to be private and it is putting the comfort and good nature of your neighbor ahead of your desire to "win."
In a world where there is war and hunger, do we really need to make an issue over something that is so easy to fix...nurse your babies and enjoy that special bond, but do it with your body under wraps!

The Great Debate

There is a battle within, that happens every time Sophie takes a long nap...part of me wants to check on her to make sure she's okay and the other part doesn't dare, I don't want to wake her. I think I will believe she's fine and enjoy the small break.

Lessons in Life

This morning I have been thinking a lot about being a mother and how much it changes a woman. I pray that Sophie is learning, especially when I'm attempting to teach her a specific lesson, but most of the time I feel like I'm the one being taught something. This little girl, all of her 2 1/2 feet 23 pounds, is such a gift. She is a one-of-a-kind miracle that keeps me fully dependent upon the Lord if I have any hope of being successful.

1. Her laugh can make any situation less stressful and usually serves to remind me that I overreact too much.

2. Her unconditional love and acceptance of people shows me how to love those around me as Jesus would rather than be so critical of others.

3. The way she dances, makes me laugh, but also reminds me not to be so worried about what others are thinking of me.

4. When she is trying to get my attention and she does not give up, even when I try to keep doing what I was in the middle of, catches my attention because I know the Lord is even more persistent when I fail to focus on my relationship with Him.

5. When she shoves too much in her mouth and then has a hard time swallowing, it shows me how pathetic it is when I try to do too much and cannot do anything my best.

6. When she wants to play with the toys that I just put away or wants to snuggle when I am busy, it reminds me what is truly important. I will always have projects or time to clean. I will not always have a little girl who wants to play and snuggle all day long.

7. When I think about working and having more money to do stuff, she does something right then to tell me that I'm exactly where I am supposed to be. I am her mommy and the Lord has me taking care of His precious creation.

I know that this time will pass too quickly, especially since baby Aaron will join us soon, but I am thankful for today and the chance I have right now to love my little girl.

It's great

I am very excited right now, because we put some things on Craigslist...and they're actually selling! Love it when that happens.

A new start

I finished cleaning and just laid Sophie down for her nap. Maybe it's the clean house or a new baby coming, making me want everything cleaned and organized, but I do know that I love new starts. It's a common thing following the holidays or at the beginning of a new week, but my prayer is that it will become a common thing daily in my life. I'm praying that I have a clean start with my responsibilities, my relationship with the Lord. I think it is from the Lord, the idea of clean starts, because His faithfulness is new every morning. Today, I am especially thankful for that.

A Blessing From God To Our Family

In May, Sophie will be joined by a baby brother! We just had the appointment today and our little guy is very friendly and healthy. We are excited and so happy that everything is developing exactly like it's supposed to. The Lord is good.

A toddler getting her own snack...

Yes, Sophie was so pleased with herself when she got her own snack today. It was a bag of goldfish crackers from the table...now all over the floor. She didn't mind though. Right after I took the picture, she sat down to eat :-) I quickly got the broom to sweep, and she grabbed a handful before running away! I love it when I can see her mind working through her expressions.

Oh Christmas Tree...

We have two trees in our home this year, because we wanted one that Sophie and umm...Josh could enjoy while I could still decorate one with my specific ornaments. Josh just thinks I'm too picky, but since we're Kintighs, why not get two trees!

Sights of the Season...

Yes, it's been a while, I know. We've been very busy and now are cutting back a little because we're trapped (YES!!) from snow. We really have been living life still, I promise. I can prove it with pictures.

P.S. We find out if our baby is a boy or a girl on Monday...if the snow subsides!

A New Photo-shoot

Here is our little one with his or her very first picture...sorry they're so small, but I got it as big as I could.

Fall's yummy side...

More Pics

Time with daddy...



Going on an adventure..."I'm the big girl"



Maybe I need some help...



So much work to be done...



So many apples before naptime...