Guest Post!!!

The wonderful Beka from a Blog by B* asked me to write a guest post for her blog about one of my absolute favorite things........ my handsome husband! I'm so glad she asked me to write this post, and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting down and writing all about this amazing man who spends his days loving me! 

Head on over HERE to read the post!

It's a whole lotta LOVE and it's just in time to get you all sapped up for Valentine's Day ;) Oh, and while you're over there, spend some time browsing Beka's blog! She's an incredible woman of God who has made some inspiring commitments in her life. She encourages me every time she posts and her blog is DEFINITELY one worth following! 

Love...

Unfortunately, I can't give credit where it's due, because I don't know who said this.... but I absolutely love this quote. "Love is friendship on fire." I love just wrapping my mind around that thought... Someone who you click with so well.... someone who you have a great friendship with... the kind of person who you can get lost in conversation with... who you can enjoy just hanging out with... and then there is this beautiful igniting that happens.... this burning of both your hearts and the desire to have more than just friendship with one another.. your friendship is lit on fire, and you fall passionately in love....

I'm so thankful for my husband and our friendship on fire! We're going on 3 years of marriage (in a few more months!) and I'm still as passionately in love with him as I was years ago when that fire was lit inside my heart, and I saw my friend as something more.... as the piece my heart was missing.

It's not our anniversary or anything, but today I just want to recognize my husband, just because.

Tonight I prayed over Peyton as I rocked her to sleep... and I prayed for her future husband. I realized as I was praying for him to have certain qualities, that all I really want for her is to have a husband like her daddy... because I know that a man like that will love with everything he has and will treat her like the princess she is. I am blessed beyond belief everyday by my hubby. I don't deserve his love, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm so happy he's the man I'll raise my babies with... the one I'll grow old with. We have so many happy years ahead of us... and the God who brought us together is the One we thank for them all.

A Job!

We are so thankful this week, because Bryan has a job!!! Now, you all know by now that the ultimate goal is for Bryan to get a job in the police force, but that's a long process so he needed something for the interim. He was hired a construction company that is currently building a military base in Rutland. The downside is that Rutland is 2 hours south of us, so it's definitely a commute... but we're so thankful that he has a job! And this position has already opened up more opportunity for him--he'll be working in Massachusetts over the weekend on a separate project that will pay great.

I'm so thankful for my husband and his willingness to do anything to support our family. I know he doesn't enjoy getting up at 4 am for work... and only getting home at 8pm... and I know he doesn't love commuting 4 hours a day... but he does it with such a willing heart! I am so blessed to have such a strong, loving husband who is such a hard worker.

It's been so great to see how his employer has already recognized him for his hard work! I'm so proud of him. I definitely miss him during the days, but I know this is just a season.

Thanks for all your prayers for him to find a job!!

Happy Birthday, My Love!

It's my handsome husband's 25th birthday today!

As most of you probably know, Bryan and I met in college. When I first got to BCOM, the last thing I was looking for was a boyfriend (and definitely NOT a husband!) I had my sights set on the mission field, with romantic dreams of living on a little island somewhere in my OWN hut in my OWN hammock ;) (I had a lot to learn haha)

I met Bryan early on and we became friends quickly, we loved hanging out with the same people and we played lots of sports together. It quickly became obvious that we had alot in common, and I was definitely attracted to him... but I didn't want anything beyond friendship. Bryan had other ideas ;) He pursued me quickly, and the way he asked me to date him was BEYOND romantic! I took some time to pray but after a couple days of praying and soul searching, I knew there was no way I could say no to this handsome man!

After our first year of college, we had to leave each other to go home for break. As we said a tearful goodbye, I boarded the plane and was honestly shocked at how truly sad I was to be leaving this man who had so quickly come to mean so much. I remember sitting in my seat as the plane was taking off, and I was listening to a Lifehouse CD. The song "First Time" came on and in that moment, as I cried and longed to be back with Bryan, I heard those words, "Looking at you, holding my breath. For once in my life, I'm scared to death. I'm taking a chance--letting you inside. I'm feeling alive all over again, as deep as the sky under my skin, like being in love...for the first time." I realized in that very moment that I was deeply, magically in love with Bryan Luke Flores and I never wanted to say goodbye ever again.

10 months after our first date, (2 months after that day on the plane) the man of my dreams got down on one knee and proposed at the waterfront (and of course it was SUNSET!) in my hometown of Burlington, Vermont. (he traveled all the way there from his home in MN to surprise me with a dozen roses and a proposal!!! oooo and of course, a GORGEOUS diamond ring!) 3 months later, we got married in the campus church where we met. 2 years and 6 months later, we're HAPPILY married and blissfully in love!

Just 7 months after our wedding, we knew we wanted to start a family. After less than 2 months of trying, we conceived our darling little Peyton Spring. We were overjoyed at the positive pregnancy test, and loved going through the whole experience side by side. Welcoming our little girl was just one more beautiful chapter in our love story.

Since we began our journey of parenthood, I have fallen more and more deeply in love with Bryan. He is the most incredible and committed father, and Peyton seems to think the sun and moon set with him! She gets this look of importance when she's in his arms!

 I wish that I could beautifully put in words everything I feel in my heart towards this wonderful man. He is my love, my teammate, my best friend and my safe place. I revel in having his arms around me, and I feel fully alive when I am with him. My heart is full of nothing but pure joy when I think about spending the rest of my life with him. He is the best thing that ever happened to me, besides Jesus, and I daily marvel at how blessed I am to have been given such an amazing husband. I couldn't have asked for a better man by my side or a more wonderful, loving father for my babies.

I never worry about where Bryan will lead our family, or about the decisions he makes for us. I always can trust him to make the best possible decision, because I see him in the secret times... I see him on his face before God seeking His will for us, and that causes my heart to rest in his love and leadership.

Happy Birthday, babe. I hope you feel loved and appreciated, respected and adored on this day... YOUR day. Thank you for being my knight in shining armor, my rock, my best friend, and my home.

"I could write a million songs about the way you say my name.
I could live a lifetime with you and then do it all again." 
(-Brooke Fraser)

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday, I'm thankful for sunshine.

This Thursday, I'm thankful for palm trees.

This Thursday I'm thankful for my brand new tan thanks to the Arizona sun.

This Thursday I'm thankful for an apartment complex that's within our budget...

....that also has a pool!

This Thursday, I'm thankful for a wonderful, handsome, loving husband who is an incredible out-of-this-world father to a very special little girl.

What more could an eleven month old young lady want? 

A lazy sunny day by the sparkling clear pool...

A cute little bathing suit,

A world full of wonder and excitement and fun pool toys!

Water that tickles when you wiggle your toes in it...

A carefree thought to jump right in and make a big splash!

.....And a daddy that will always keep you safe....

....And will always be there to catch you...

No matter what.

Our Lives are Changing... Again.

**WARNING!*** THIS IS A LENGTHY POST, BUT IT'S FROM MY HEART ABOUT THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR LIVES SO GRAB A CUP OF JAVA, KICK BACK AND HANG OUT FOR A FEW :)

Okay. It's 4:40am and I'm awake. Sleep has been eluding me for the past 3 hours. I'm usually not one to stay in bed for more than an hour of sleeplessness, but I really gave it my best shot this time. After 3 hours, I decided I'd rather get up and face the day then continue attempting sleep.

I really like these early mornings, to be honest. I love the calm of a sleeping household, and the knowledge that I'm promised at least a couple of hours undisturbed. The coffee is brewing, and my soul is at peace. My mind, however, is racing.

I've been putting off writing this post for a few weeks now. Maybe I was in denial. Or maybe I was simply to lazy to take the time to write it down. Either way, the early morning and my tall cup of coffee have empowered me. 

In one week, Bryan, Peyton and I are moving to Arizona. 

Here's a little background for those of you who may be newer here. I grew up in the northeast. New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. Not only am I a thoroughly east coast girl, I'm a true Yankee. Through and through. Bryan, although born in L.A., grew up in Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota. He's a mid-west boy all the way. We both went to college in Minneapolis at Bethany College of Missions. We lived in Minneapolis until this past October. Then we moved out here to Vermont to spend some time near my family.

Bryan and I have been in ministry for all but 7 months of our married life. That has also meant for us that we have lived in community for all but 7 months of our marriage. And for all but 11 months of our marriage, we have lived with other couples. That said, it's time for us to be on our own.

We have loved and cherished these past 2 months with my family. And, believe it or not, we loved community living before that. We have lived with two incredible couples (who were also our great friends), and also spent a month and a half with Bryan's family. But theres more to us wanting to be on our own than just needing our own space (which we do!)

When we were praying about this decision, I wrestled. Obviously, I wanted more time to be near my family. Especially with an international move in our near future (for those of you who don't know, my husband and I are preparing to go full time on the mission field as soon as we are fully funded--right now it looks like May or June will be when we can leave... see more at our website here!) But the more I began to think and pray, the more I realized that Bryan and I don't just want this time of living on our own, we desperately need it. We are looming on the edge of jumping into a much more involved form of ministry than we have ever done. We need a season set apart to build our family on the foundation of Christ. As I think about our marriage (will be 2 years in February!!) we are so young. And we were even younger when we got married (I was 18 and he was 22) Whenever we've had to make big decisions in the past, it seems like he gets on the phone with his parents, and I get on the phone with my parents and my sister. We need a season where we can grow closer as a couple (and as family!) to where we trust each other completely. Ministry has been so enriching to our lives, but it has also meant that we haven't had as much time simply for each other. Especially because the ministry we were doing was mentoring college students. Our lives were literally invaded. We had to fight to keep our marriage a priority. We desperately need a season to simply focus on US. US as a family, US as a couple, and US before God. Make sense?

So why Arizona? We have an opportunity to care take a house in Mesa. It's a blessing because obviously as we are raising support to go overseas, we do need to live relatively cheaply to be good stewards for the next season of our lives.

Do we know anyone in Arizona? Eek! No! Scary, right? We thought about this alot. Obviously it's hard to think about the fact of living out your last months in the States for a while in an unfamiliar place, but we realized that our marriage and our little family has to come first right now. We are doing what we believe God is leading us to do right now. It seems strange and even irrational to those around us, but we know that God will have His way in us! Praise Him!

We will be leaving next Sunday or Monday night (so about a week away!) We plan to road trip down there (which is fun because we've always wanted to take a cross country road trip!!) I am nervous about how Peyton will do with the long hours, but we spoke to her pediatrician and got some great advice for how to manage the jouney :)

We will get to stop in Ohio to stay with my beautiful sister Leigh and her husband Andy, and our gorgeous niece Norah Grace. Leigh & Andy are also our teammates for South Africa!!! Other than that we plan to just take our time, maybe stay in a hotel or two and just take a leisurely trip down there.

Please pray for me, readers! I'm a little scared, I have to admit. Going to a new place is always nerve-wracking, and especially to go to a place where you literally know NO ONE. But in a way, it's exciting to think that we will be starting fresh. It will be the first place for Bryan and I that's really ALL OUR OWN. I'm excited to make all those fun decisions with him, like what church to attend! I'm really excited to get plugged in with hopefully a Mom's Group and a ladies Bible study so that I can make friends quickly and surround myself with kindred spirits. Living in community for the past year and a half has made us appreciate the little things! We can't wait to do our own grocery shopping! To make our own decisions on which way to face the couch! To run our home the way that we want to instead of constantly adjusting to others! But God is good, and I don't regret any season of my life!

Of course, in the midst of all this looking ahead, there are goodbyes that will have to be said. (Wow, that rhymed!) I can't lie and say that I'm not very sad to have to leave my family and my wonderful friends here in Vermont. Goodbyes are NEVER easy. I hate them more and more the more I have to say them. I wake up at night and just cry about how difficult it will be to watch my parents say goodbye to Peyton, their granddaughter who loves them SO much. I hate it. I hate that the ones I love have to be so spread apart. Why does life have to separate us from the people we love? My only consolation is that I know that my loved ones will share eternity with me in the presence of our loving Savior who gave us that love for one another. Someday... Someday.... someday there will be no more goodbyes.

 Let me know what you all think... I would so appreciate your prayers as I step forward into this season. I have fears, excitements, sadness and a whole slew of unknowns. Any prayer and/or encouragement would be so hugely appreciated.

Thanks for listening.... and thanks for enduring through this very long post... You are all close to my heart.

Being A Patient is a Virtue.

So here I lay on the couch, still attempting to recover from this surgery. I've been able to reduce my pain medication and am now just on Tylenol and Ibuprofen. I wanted to scale back on the drugs as quickly as possible because I'm still nursing Peyton.

My stomach hurts constantly, even on the painkillers. It's been so frustrating to only be able to lay in ONE position (on my back) and to have to rely on others for even the most basic activities. I can't stand up or lay back down by myself because my core is basically immovable. Bryan has to help me go to the bathroom, take a bath, and even lift me off the couch and back onto it. It's amazing what such vulnerable dependency does to you. I'm so blessed to have such an incredible husband who serves me so wonderfully. But it's frustrating to be unable to do basic things myself.

The hardest thing is to watch others care for my baby. All I want is to be able to feed her her pears for breakfast or to play with her on the floor. She misses me to... She keeps looking at me and reaching out for me and crying. Oh if only she know how much I'm aching to reach out to her!

I am so thankful that this recovery is predicted to be quick. I am able to take small walks around the house every few hours. They take alot out of me, but it's good for me to get my blood flowing. My neck hurts so badly from just laying here.

I haven't been blogging much, because truthfully there's not much to say. My days haven't exactly been action packed here on the couch!

But I have been doing a lot of thinking. And one thought that has crossed my mind is the irony of the word "patient". I am considered, a patient. "Someone is under medical care or treatment". But ironically, being a patient requires a ridiculous amount of the virtue: patience. Okay, I know I'm getting cheesy, but stay with me. It is tiring to just lay here and WAIT. Wait to recover. Wait to feel better. Wait for the next dose of painkillers to kick in. It's a challenging place to be, and honestly all I want to do is jump right up and do something for myself! But I have to be patient. I have to allow my body time to heal, and I have to wait before things can return to normal. It's such a challenge, but I am learning alot in this time. Alot about allowing myself to vulnerable. About allowing myself to be cared for... and also about allowing myself to be loved.

My husband has been amazing. He has truly shown me that he meant every word of our vows when he pledged to me that he would be there for me in sickness and in health. I'm sure it's not the sexiest thing in the world for him to have to lower me on to the toilet and wait for me to do my thing and then lift me off again. I'm sure it's downright UNsexy. But he does it anyway... and he even kisses me as he walks me there! I am so thankful for him and his love. He has been so great with Peyton through all of this, and has just stepped up to the plate and taken over. (However, I did get some satisfaction when he crashed into bed and tiredly admitted that my job as a mom is HARD WORK! I think he's really excited for me to get better because Peyton is wearing him out!!!)

Well, those are some of the thoughts swirling in my brain as I lay here, immobile. I hope you're all doing well tonight. Enjoy the little things today... Like walking around, or playing with your kids, or pouring yourself a cup of coffee... or even going to the bathroom by yourself! Just remember that there may be someone else who would LOVE to be able to do those simple things for themselves, but can't.

Goodbye 2009 and Helloooo 2010!

I kept meaning to write a reflective post on 2009, but time slipped away from me. Ironic, eh? But even though it's belated, I still feel as though I owe 2009 a good, well thought out memorial. It's been a year to remember, that's for sure. I can't move on with my life without thanking 2009 for everything it brought my way.

Of course, there is really only ONE main, true highlight of 2009. The birth of my darling baby girl, Peyton Spring.

Wow, can you believe that was me? I look at the pictures of my pregnancy and I can't believe it! But in all reality, I LOVED being pregnant. Absolutely loved it. I loved the knowledge that I was carrying life inside of me. I loved reaching down and touching my belly, feeling the reactive little kicks that responded to my touch. I loved feeling her roll over inside of me. I loved feeling her warmth and noting her personality. I loved knowing her every move. But oh, how I dreamt of having out of my belly and in my arms!!! And when the day came? It was the best day of my life. I don't think I ever blogged about her birth story. What a more appropriate time than the present???

If you've been reading my blog for more than seven months, then you'll know that I had a condition called Intraheptic Cholestasis while I was pregnant. My liver had an issue producing bile. The bile backed up in my liver causing me to itch ALL OVER all the time. It was hellish at best. Because of the seriousness of the condition, they had to induce my labor no later than 37 weeks, or there would've been a risk of a stillbirth. I remember crying out to God in those last months, pleading with him to spare my baby. I couldn't believe that because of this rare condition (less than 1% of all women in North America have it) I could lose my baby. But I stood fast to the hope that I would see her face and hear her cry. On May 29th, 2009... that hope was realized.

For weeks before then I had contractions here and there. I kept thinking I was going into labor at the oddest times. Of course, I didn't want to because it was too early... but Peyton was sure ready to meet the world! Now, to any of you who know anything about delivering babies, you'll understand the terms I'm about to use. To those of you who don't, that's okay. I knew nothing about them either until two pink lines on a pregnancy test told me I'd better study up. A month before Peyton's birth I was 1cm dilated. 2 weeks before I was 3cm and 50% effaced. Peyton was on her way. I arrived to the hospital the morning of my induction at 4 cm dilated (technically considered active labor) and 90% effaced. Peyton would have come on her own at any moment. But because of the cholestasis, we couldn't wait for her to. At 8:00am, my doctor broke my water, and the surreal experience began.The contractions began around 8:30 and began gradually. I remember just laying there, talking to my Mom and Bryan and trying to adjust to the fact that the process had begun... In a matter of hours (I didn't know how many) Peyton would be in my arms. I had planned a head of time to have an epidural. I've never been one of those crazy women who are all into the "thrill of feeling it all". Sick. No thank you. Around 10:00 the guy came to give me my epidural. First of all, he was a jerk. Stuck me in the middle of a contraction and told me to sit still. Yeah. Listen here, buddy. You try to sit still while you're in labor. Oh wait, you can't because you're a dude and you have no freaking idea what it feels like.... I'm slightly bitter towards him to this day. Can you tell? Well, anyway. He finally sticks me and tells me to lay down. The contractions eased up. About an hour and a half later the nurse comes in to check my progress. She goes to check my cervix and OUCH! It hurt. She looks at me and goes, "Honey you shouldn't be feeling anything. You should be completely numb." Guess what? I'm not. The epidural didn't work. There went my plan for a pain-free labor! They tried giving me more but my body rejected it. I was stuck with a natural childbirth! In retrospect, I'm glad it happened that way... but at the time I was a bit scared, but I had a crazy sense of calm too. Half an hour later, (don't laugh, please!!) I told the lady I needed to go to the bathroom and, well you know, go number 2. (lol). The nurse said to me, "Honey, that's not a bowel movement, that's your baby coming!" They checked me and sure enough I was ready.

The doctor came in, and it was time! I began pushing and Peyton prepared to make her entrance into this world! It was the most invigorating experience of my entire life. It hurt. Oh yeah, it hurt. (But a word of wisdom to all of you out there who may give birth some time in your future... screaming is way releasing... the one time in your life you can scream your head off and no one can tell you to shut up. It's great.) I pushed for 44 minutes. The 44 most painful, remarkable, intense, beautiful minutes of my life. And then it was done. At 12:44 pm, I heard a cry. The cry of my baby girl. The child I had loved from a distance for 9 months was thrust into my arms, and let me tell you... it was love at first sight. All I could do was cry out, "My baby! My baby!" Bryan began to weep and we both laid our hands on her. As I held her in that moment, none of the pain mattered anymore. None of anything mattered anymore. Just me, my baby girl, my husband and the fact that we were now a family. I have never felt closer to God than I did in that moment. That moment when I saw life begin right before my eyes... and I was a part of it. A weak, feeble part of it. But a vital part.

Now, seven months later, I can't believe that I really get to be a mother to this beautiful baby. I still marvel at her life... how it began and who she is. She's a beautiful representation of the heart of God. His love, His creativity, His joy and His heart. Her smile can light up any room and her irrepressible personality is an invaluable asset to my life. I can't even imagine life without my Peyton Spring. How can it be that only 7 months ago, I'd never even met her? Her who has shaped me, molded me, and contributed to defining who I am?

2009, I am forever in your debt. You gave me the most priceless gift I have ever recieved. The gift of a new life. Not only the new life of my daughter, but my new life as well. 2009, within you, I grew up. I went from a little girl who was seeking her place in this world, to a woman... who knows where she belongs. At the feet of her King caring for a blueberry eyed little girl and a handsome, strong man who kneels there as well.

What will 2010 bring our way? Peyton's first birthday, our two year anniversary (just a month away!), a move overseas perhaps? I stand here reflecting, but also hoping. There is so much behind, but much ahead. After all, I am young. Life is still stretched out before me (Lord willing) and I pray that I will fulfill my purpose in it.

"You belong among the wildflowers. You belong in a boat out at sea. You belong with your love on your arm. You belong somewhere you feel free." -Tom Petty (I realize that quote may seem disconnected and perhaps out of place in this post, but more to come on it in future posts, I assure you!)

Here's to 2010 and the new beginnings it will hold. Here's to 2009 and the life it gave me. Here's to each year past, and each year ahead.

I pray that all of you have as many things (or more!) to thank God for in the past year. I count each of you among my blessings, and look forward to facing this new year with you all.

P.S.... here's to becoming a better blogger in 2010... my pregnant/new mom brain makes for some disjointed posts... I beg your forgiveness!

The Husband Survey

1. HE'S SITTING IN FRONT OF THE TV, WHAT'S ON? Bryan doesn't watch an excessive amount of TV, but when he does watch, he absolutely loves anything on Discovery Channel. He loves to watch things about wildlife (mainly predators) and he loves hunting and fishing shows. He's an outdoor boy through and through! Anything having to do with nature is great in his opinion.

2. YOU'RE OUT TO EAT, WHAT KIND OF DRESSING DOES HE GET ON HIS SALAD? Anything smothered in Ranch is a win-win situation for him!

3. WHAT IS ONE FOOD HE DOESN'T LIKE? Potatoes. Any form. Any way. He HATES potatoes.

4. YOU GO OUT TO EAT, AND WHAT DOES HE ORDER TO DRINK? Water. Always water. He prefers to have water with his meal, a) because it doesn't cost anything and b) because it leaves the most room for his meal. But, he knows that if he orders water I'll feel like I should order water so occasionally he'll order a Strawberry Lemonade to free me up :)

5. WHERE DID HE GO TO HIGH SCHOOL? Jordan High School. I have his letterman jacket to prove it! (cute, right? I know, when I wear it I feel straight out of a 1950s high school romance movie!)

6. WHAT SIZE SHOE DOES HE WEAR? 10 or 10 1/2 can't quite remember which. Wait, maybe 11?

7. IF HE WAS TO COLLECT ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Coins. He loves to collect old coins. He loves prospecting and searching for old things that have been buried, forgotten. I adore that part of him. That part that is so unmistakably little boy... the awe and wonder he has for what has been lost beneath the earth... only to be found by one with enough intrigue and time to retrieve it. He gets this sparkle in his eyes and comes home covered in dirt and a soil covered palm filled with old "treasures". Life sure is an adventure with him by my side!

8. WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE TYPE OF SANDWICH? Anything that's stuffed full. Full of meat, cheese, sauce, veggies, whatever. Gotta have hot sauce. And Miracle Whip. Needs to be dripping with both.

9. WHAT WOULD HE EAT EVERYDAY IF HE COULD? As gross as this is going to sound... Hot dogs. He has a crazy obsession. And somehow, he manages to keep a totally trim, muscular, sexy build. Go figure.

10. WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE CEREAL? Cinnamon Toast Crunch. No hesitation.

11. WHAT WOULD HE NEVER WEAR? Taking this non-literally... chapstick. He hates chapstick. The only time he won't kiss me is when I've put some on. Hates the wax feel, apparently. 

12. WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM? He's not particularly die hard for any one team. But he's a definite Vikings fan nonetheless.

13. DID HE VOTE? Absolutely.

14. WHO IS HIS BEST FRIEND? Me!!! He tells me everyday, which is the sweetest thing. And he is mine... for all of forever.

15. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU DO THAT HE WISHES YOU WOULDN'T DO? This one brings tears to my eyes, but truthfully, I know that he wishes I wouldn't speak badly about myself. If I mention things about myself that I'm unsatisfied with he asks me not to. He asks me not to insult his gem. And I love him for it. God knew what He was doing when He blessed me with Bryan. He's perfect for me. Divinely perfect.

16. WHAT IS HIS HERITAGE? He's half-Mexican, but he doesn't know what else he is.

17. YOU BAKE HIM A CAKE FOR HIS BIRTHDAY, WHAT KIND OF CAKE? I wouldn't do cake. I'd bake him an Apple Crisp and serve it along with Butter Pecan ice cream. He'd be in heaven.

18. DID HE PLAY SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL? Yes! He played football, and was very, very good. I've heard from his younger siblings that they can't escape his shadow! His football prowess is still the talk of the school ;) I've had the privilege to see him play... and all the rumors are true... he's amazing!

19. WHAT COULD HE SPEND HOURS DOING? He loves being in nature. He can spend hours sitting in a deer stand just reveling in the natural state of the world around him. He loves being in nature long enough, that nature adjusts to his presence and continues on as though he were a part of it. He loves the quiet where he can think and be alone with his God. He could spend hours worshiping the Lord. He could spend hours hiking, climbing a mountain, or prospecting. He just LOVES the woods. I love that rugged, wild side of him. He's every inch a man.

20. WHAT IS ONE UNIQUE TALENT HE HAS? You'd never know it by looking at him, but he's brilliant on the violin.

Daddy Daughter Time

As I write this, Bryan is playing with Peyton. I love watching them together... her bright smile as she catches sight of her daddy, his tender eyes as they fall on her beautiful little angelic face. The love they share is truly something to behold.

She is sitting in her princess chair, a lullaby tune playing and her little pink castle lighting up. Truly she must feel like a princess with such a wonderful doting daddy!

There is nothing quite like the love between father and daughter. And to see that love exchanged between my husband and my baby girl, is a feeling unlike any other.

Plus, it's a definite blessing to have a little break each day when he reaches out for her! My empty arms are heavy from a full day of nursing, playing, diaper changing, bathing and peek-a-boo!

My Treasures

I woke up this morning refreshed. Anew. Realizing that no matter how many uncertainties I come across, there are some certain things that don't change.

My Jesus, who is my rock in the midst of the strongest storm. He is both tender and firm.

My husband, who is God's gift to me. My leader, my lover, my best friend, my partner.

My baby girl who has filled my life with more joy than I ever thought possible.

Of course, there are more blessings that I can't even begin to count. But those three top my list. I am who I am because of them. I continue to live because of them. I smile because of them. And I press on because of them.

Moving Forward

High time for an update, wouldn't you say? Well, as much as I thought this time would never come, it has. We are preparing to leave Minnesota. I can't believe that in less than a week, I'll be boarding a plane and heading off to the next chapter of our lives. I have absolutely LOVED living in Minnesota for the past 3 1/2 years. My life has literally completely changed here. I came here as a single girl headed off to college with a couple suitcases and some big dreams. I wanted to travel the world with only my Bible and a backpack. I was determined to fight all odds to carry the Gospel to the darkest corners of this earth! And then I fell in love. With Bryan Flores. And God blessed that love in my heart. We married here in Minnesota... we worked here, we built our life together here. And now, nearly 2 years after our wedding day, we have brought a daughter into the world and built even more dreams here.

And now, it is time to move on.

On Tuesday, I'll be flying to Vermont. Bryan will follow by car a week later. And the next phase of our lives will commence.

We plan to be in Vermont for about 2 months, and after that? Cape Town, South Africa. I'm sure that's not a shock to any of my readers. I've blogged about it before. But somehow, it feels shocking to write it in the same paragraph as "2 months". Lord willing, of course. If support comes in, then bam. We'll be on another continent by our anniversary.

As I think about what all these changes mean for my life, I realize that the core things about me and my life are never going to change. I am called to be a wife and a mother. That will remain whether I am here in the U.S. or whether I am there in Cape Town. I am called to love God and to serve him with my whole heart. I will pursue that wherever I am. I will still have Bryan. I will still have Peyton. But I will be walking forward in a newness.

Sometimes I can't believe we're really doing this. But then I think... it's what I've dreamt of my whole life. It's what I knew I was called to do since age 11. So why am I so shocked to actually be doing it?

I'm ready. Well, sort of. My heart feels ready. My mind feels unprepared. But God is in control. And He will have His glory. And I pray that I can bring it to Him... in Cape Town, South Africa. And yes, even in Vermont. And even here in Minnesota in my last 5 days. If I am truly a missionary, I will be one in all places. To all people. Whew. That's a challenge. But a ripe call on my heart.

More to come... this blogging hiatus has got me pondering so expect a whirlwind of updates! Hope I haven't lost all my readers in the meantime!

Seriously, if you read my blog, leave a comment! I'd love to know who's reading my rants or if I'm just spewing them out into internet oblivion... ;)

Be blessed tonight.

Announcing the Arrival of Peyton Spring Flores!

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen... she's finally here! (Actually, she's been here for a week and a half already, I just haven't taken the time to write about it on blogger... let's just say I've been too busy loving on my little girl!)

Peyton arrived on Friday, May 29th at 12:44 pm. The labor wasn't too bad (I say that now, but if you'd asked me then I'm sure I would have said otherwise...) I only labored for 4 hours and 44 minutes! She was born at 6lbs 6oz and 20 inches long...

Here are some pictures:





I'll write more later about the whole experience. I just wanted to make sure you all got to see some photos of my beautiful baby girl! We are settling into our routine now, and getting used to lack of sleep, frequent feedings, smiles, giggles, and burps!!! I couldn't have imagined a greater blessing. Peyton is a miracle!

A Little Something....

New Picture...

Latest pic of me and the man.
I can't wait until our family of 2 becomes a family of 3!
Soon enough, we'll be welcoming our little June Bug!