Due Date

Today is Lincoln's due date. I am thrilled that he joined us early so that I could snuggle with him in front of the fireplace on New Year's Eve! Happy New Year to all.

Timber!

9:00 AM
9:30 AM

10:00 AM

Noon

Both pine trees were removed from my front yard today...all before noon! The first time I looked at the house I didn't like the placement of the trees. I thought the trees looked like an old man house. I struggled with taking down a living tree that was creating habitat but left the huge pine in the back yard for the birds and squirrels. I love deciduous trees, fall color, spring blossoms and interesting bark. I am very excited to plant two or three trees in the spring. I don't like the green shutters either but that job may need to wait till spring too.

Best Paint Crew Ever

I have fresh paint on all of my walls AND some of the best friends in the world! Linda and Larry just left after painting my living room with me this morning. This concludes the big project that started with three full days of painting that started two weeks ago...on my closing week. Everything looks great. I am happy with the colors and especially thrilled to be settled in near my wonderful friends and family!

Christmas Day

The best Christmas gift!

It was so wonderful to have the kids come back over on Christmas morning. Jay and Briana called first and I started the waffles. When Ashley and Travis arrived we made more waffles. I took a quick family photo of Ashley, Travis, Lincoln and Mowgli before they left for Allison. Jay, Briana and I enjoyed relaxing most of the day and I even got to go to a Christmas Day movie which was fun and brought back many memories of Christmas Day movies with Randy, Sherri, Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Snooks. It was a most excellent Christmas.

Christmas Eve

It was a peaceful and laid back Christmas Eve at home. I loved it...every minute! After going to church we gathered for a quiet evening with no real agenda but homemade bread, lasagna, goodies and gifts. Being in my new home, so close to the kids was such a gift!

Lincoln very much enjoyed the warmth of the fireplace and his first story time with Daddy. Such a special Christmas Eve for our family.

Christmas in Mason City

Again this year all the Nonnweilers that could make it gathered in Mason City for our Christmas celebration on December 23. We had a great time together eating, talking and playing. The family grows every year with weddings and births creating a cozy, fun love filled holiday!

Home for Christmas

How wonderful to celebrate Christmas at home with my children and grandson. It's been less than two weeks but I do feel at home. Family, friends, food and celebrations are a big part of that feeling. Merry Christmas to all!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalm 139: 13-14

Although I have always loved this scripture, it's come to life in a new way for me. I have loved knitting for my grandchild long before I met him but seeing him wear the hats and cuddle in the blankets has brought a new joy to my knitting and to my understanding. I love putting together the imperfect stitches for my projects but God's perfect knitting is truly awesome. This little baby, knitted together so perfectly in my daughter's womb brings me joy, amazement and an indescribable gratitude.

Morning Snuggles

There are certain moments in life when you just know, even in the moment that it is an incredibly special time. That has happened to me many times in the last couple of weeks. Some of those moments that will always stay in my memory are my early morning snuggles with Lincoln. He and Ashley stayed in the hospital just one night. Although I had my house I didn't have any furniture so I was staying with Ashley and Travis. I told her that they could get me up if they needed me. For those three nights I slept peacefully all night until 5 am when Ashley would bring Lincoln down to me and go back upstairs for a few hours of much needed sleep. It was absolutely amazing to snuggle with him, soothe him, watch him sleep and get to know my first grandchild in those early morning hours with the glow of the Christmas tree for light. It was a privilege that I will always treasure!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Monday, December 12 I drove to Waterloo to buy my house. Before the closing Ashley and I were going to an appointment with her midwife then to go pick out paint. Our agenda changed completely when we saw the midwife. I took both of these photos of Ashley on Monday, just about six hours apart. It was an incredible day and an awesome life experience. Welcome to Lincoln Jay. There will be many more photos of my grandson to come!

Moving

So much has happened this week. When I came to close on my house I left all of my possessions in West Des Moines to be loaded up a few days later. Of course that week did not go like I had planned...it went much better than I could have ever planned myself. My boxes all arrived safely in Waterloo and most are unpacked. Of course there was lots of painting, unpacking, visiting, getting to know Lincoln and helping his mommy when I can. But I am feeling settled, actually doing my Christmas baking and so looking forward to celebrating Christmas with family! I have my nutcrackers up. Now I need to make caramels!

Content

There are not enough words to describe the last week. Most importantly there is joy, contentment and peace even though I am in a new town and a new house, surrounded by boxes and life has changed dramatically. My gorgeous grandson, Lincoln Jay surprised us when he came three weeks early just three hours after I bought my house in Waterloo. I feel confident that I have started one of the most precious chapters of life. I am so grateful for God's blessings.