Thanksgiving

That is a bucket on her head- 'hat' she says.

What a pair!

For a walk on the Schutte tree farm!

The 2nd picture we have taken with just the 2 of us since Aren was born!

Auntie Gret!

Sap from a pine cone- Aren is not too pleased.

I want to feed myself! 'OK' we say.......

She is a great helper.

She sits still for Grandpa.

She loves watching herself on the computer.

Aren's training

Here is what she's/we are up to!

Aren and her shoes.

Getting ready to go outside and play with Daddy.

She loves being read to- Megan is a great 'big sister'

She has on Pete's belt and shoes- she brought them to him to put them on her. She likes imitating.

Oops! I washed the rest of the dryer sheets with our load of whites..... didn't mean to do that.

But where is the box you ask? It disintegrated because I washed it hot!!!!!!!

I want to be close to mom and baby.

In her jam-jams!

Our little ham

Grandma and Grandpa here for a visit!!! Yay!!! Having them here was such a treat and such a help.

Aren is learning how to take her clothes off.... just can't quite get her shirt over her head.

Bathtub time!! Look at all of those teeth.

Aren found Pete's chalk bag for climbing.... she decided it was like a purse and she wanted to be like mommy.

What a peanut!
She is growing fast, and we are trying to make the most of our time with her.... it could be only 16.5 years left! As hard as it can be in the day-in, day-out, her time with us will be done before we know it. Pray that we will be intentional in our time with her and prepare her for what the Lord has for her. That we would be faithful parents. It's so easy to be selfish and think about our own desires. Pray that we would, 'consider the needs of others as more important than our own,' and that we would, 'outdo one another in showing honor.' That we wouldn't be self-righteous parents, but that we would help Aren understand that just as much as she needs a Savior, so do we. Her sin may look different and come out more obviously, but ours is still there too. It's the Lord's grace to us to provide the punishment for our sins by his death. We will not and can not be perfect parents, but through our failings Christ will be shown.

Pete has been really busy with school and work. He is working on plans for another bathroom remodel and a closet remodel. His drawings are impressive. Let's just say the man has skills. School is still going well for him, with only 6 weeks left! He will be done the week of Thanksgiving but to him it feels like it is flying by.

The baby has been really active in the womb just like Aren, except his kicks/punches/elbows are a lot stronger. For the most part I am feeling better, just tired at times and needing a little nap or coffee. =) I'm ok with both too! We are excited about the cooler weather and the fall season- it is our favorite time of year. I asked Pete if we could put up the Christmas tree today.... I know, I am excited, and Pete thinks I'm jumping the gun a little bit. We are going to have to wait.. sigh... but at least I have something to look forward to!

Fall is here!

Here are some pictures of our sweet chub-chub

Aren is trying to eat with her own utensils- she does not yet understand how to scoop it onto her spoon, but can get it in her mouth!

She has shoes, can stand, walk, and put toys in her scooter and ride it! She loves the scooter.

She is washing her walrus with a washcloth, and then is trying to drink the water from it (like her Auntie Beth!)

Pete is working on remodeling a bathroom- here is a sneak peak at his work so far:

He had some help with the plumbing, drywall and tile, but he has taken this bathroom completely apart and is now almost finished. On top of that, he is trying to keep up with Greek and Church History. In the next few weeks there is fall break, so he will have some time to rest! From going to class at least.

Classes are going well here, the school year is already a month in- it really goes by fast. The seminary wives class is going really well- reminding and teaching me how to apply God's Word to my life.

We are also still looking for a place to live, confident that the Lord has a place for us. Other than that, please pray that the Lord would help us to train our children in the way that HE has for them to go, and we would be faithful to seek and follow His leadership. That we would be full of grace and quick to apply the Gospel to ourselves and them in every situation. For we feel weak, but in our weakness, Christ is strong.

It's a BOY!!

Profile shot- I think he looks like Aren!

Can you tell that it is a boy?

So cute! Little boy!

An arm and hand- Hi!

Here are some pictures for our baby #2- which is a boy! Yay! We are beyond excited. Aren is good at saying, 'baby, baby' and pointing to my belly and then her belly. She continues to make us laugh. We brought her in our bed the other night for fun, and she just kept smiling, laughing and talking. Needless to say, there was no sleep happening as she kept pointing to my nose and saying, 'nose, nose, mommy, nose, eye, eye,' and laughing and squiggling. So we put her back in her bed shortly after. =)
Pete is really enjoying his semester in Church History and Greek. His professor lives in Canada and flies in every week to teach his class! He is one of those teachers that you would want to always have- there's a reason they fly him in! Pete is also teaching the junior high Sunday school class, and is a really good teacher himself. I am really enjoying being a part of that with him and learning from him even though he is teaching them.
I started teaching math again from 8-9:30am T-F, and an online Latin class while Aren is sleeping. It is a great schedule for now.
Other than that, we are looking forward to meeting baby #2 and trying to make the most of our time here in Louisville! Thank you for your prayers!

Summer Fun

It's been a long time since we posted last and that is mostly due to the fact that 1st trimester (yes- we are expecting!!!) has taken me out. I have been really sick and easily worn out, and to be honest, pregnancy is hard for me physically. Without the Lord, I would merely complain about my circumstance or look in vain to the end. The Lord has been gracious and patient with me, not angry or impatient, and does not lack understanding. He does not expect my perfect response because Christ IS my perfect response. I look at my sin and see how much I look to the things of this world for my hope instead of Christ. Feeling well, being able to do things, having energy to do multiple things, spending time with loved ones, cooking dinner and taking care of our home, drinking coffee- these things are not deserved but are gracious gifts that I have taken for granted. Please continue to pray for me that I would only find my hope in Christ and not look to the things of this world to bring comfort. Only Christ truly satisfies, but I am so tempted to settle. The Gospel reminds me that He is faithful, He does not grow weary in doing good, and He died for my sins so that I could be forgiven and given a new heart to honor and please Him. He only disciplines those that he loves, like a loving Father disciplines his sons for their good. "for this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." 2 Cor 4:17.