My Little One Month Old

I can't believe it! Emmy is one month old today.

She loves being outside, looking at the curtains in our room, watching the Food Network with me, lifting her head up, and listening to Ian play drums at church.

She is so strong and already so smart. She knows how to move her body to get food and she has made up her own little sign language for the things that she wants. She has laughed a few times, and we have seen quite a few genuine, beautiful smiles. She warms our hearts every day - and although I cannot believe how old she is, and part of me wishes she will stop growing - I am so excited to continue to get to know her! She is so precious.

I am beginning to adjust to life as a mother - and I love it. She has only been here a short time, and I couldn't imagine life without her. I no longer know what to do with myself if I don't have a bit of spit up on my shirt - or lugging a diaper bag....just kidding. But really. I love her and being her Mom.

In other news, life is still chugging along at full force! I have been blessed with other new moms with whom to have walking and coffee dates with. I am grateful for their input and experiences, as well as their companionship - and meeting with them keeps me and Emmy busy! Ian and I are back at youth group and enjoying working with the Bible Quiz students at our church. We had our first meet - and our team did really well! :) I'm so proud!

Yes, life is good. And it will continue to get better and better. Each new day brings more wonderful things!

Love,
Miranda

A New Beginning

Wow - it has been a long time since I have updated this.  Here goes! :)

My husband, Ian, and I moved from the town we met in and fell in love with, Minneapolis, MN, back to my hometown in Washington State. Truth be told, I miss living in Minneapolis. We loved the city, the culture, and our friends there. The only thing missing was family. We were very happy there. The move was happy too. Our lives were changing, and it was a right and good move for us - the timing was perfect.

I am currently starting my journey as a mother, as I am currently holding my baby girl - a week old. Sweet little Emmy. :) Here, I will  be able to be a stay at home Mom, something that is close to my heart, for as long as we choose. Both Ian and I will be able to spend more time at home, and together with our baby. She will know the love and company of a close family. I will be honored to raise my child(ren) here where I grew up.

 Ian and I have already found so many good opportunities for us to be involved in our church and community - and have found that with the move we are more relaxed here. We are comfortable with the Northwest, and are discovering new things to do together each day.

Though I loved every minute in MN, I missed the area that I grew up in. Exploring it with Ian is quickly becoming one of our favorite pastimes. My parents graciously offered room in their house to us until we can afford to invest in our own, we are privileged to live on five acres of forest - beautiful fir and maple trees. We are loving the fall weather here.

I am updating and keeping this blog to remind me of the woman that I am now, and to look back at the woman that I was. To remember my first birth...and God willing my second, and third....etc. To remember our time as a young married couple exploring becoming parents. I hope that this blog will help me to remember the new journey that Ian and I are starting now, our experiences here in WA, and the good times that we will discover along the way. And, in some small way, to include you, my friends -wherever you may live - in my life. I love you all!

 

Love, 

Miranda

Apple of my Eye

Just a warning: This post is picture heavy. :)

Ian was so sweet today, and took me to an apple orchard to pick my own apples. We had a wonderful time and came home with quite a few apples. I see apple pies, apple crisp, and apple stuffing in my future!

Love,
Miranda

Fall Picnic

We had Lauren and Phil over for dinner last night, and feasted on Chicken and Apple sausages, and Rosemary Thyme Cous Cous. It was a perfect meal for the autumn show displayed as the sun set.

Love,
Miranda

Sunlit Snapshots

Here is a peak at our new living room. :)

The sunlight coming in my window was too beautiful not to share. I hope your night is going well!

Love,
Miranda

Sweet Smoothie

Since I work weird hours as a restaurant host (over lunch, or through dinner) I have a very interesting eating schedule. By the time I am done with work, I am either SUPER hungry, or not hungry enough to eat something - and then eat again at a normal meal time. Enter the smoothie.

When I get home, it is so easy to whip up a fruit smoothie (under 5 minutes) and it fills me up without making me feel guilty for snacking. I make the process easier when I come home from grocery shopping by slicing up fresh fruit, washing it, and then freezing it in portion sizes.

I love to mix my fruits so that I get a different taste each time I make a smoothie. Some of my favorite combinations are Raspberry Peach, Orange Banana, Banana Berry. There are really no limits.

Here is my recipe for smoothie. It is just the basics, so you can be creative with your own combinations!

Sweet Smoothie:

1 Cup Frozen Fruit (any combination)
1/3 Cup Greek Yogurt
1/4 - 1/2 Juice or 1% Milk (Really, just enough to make a smoothie consistency)
1 Tbs Honey

There you have it! Blend it up until you can't stand it anymore....and then slurp to your heart's content.

P.S. Today I am drinking Raspberry Peach with Orange Juice. So yummy!

Love,
Miranda

Back in The Saddle Again

I know, I know. It's been a while.

It happens. :)

There have been a lot of changes going on in my life, and I was living every second of them. Among other things, Ian and I have now moved out of our old apartment, I got a job, Ian got a different job, and we are doing great!

Vala is still Vala...still both tormenting and melting our hearts. She is finally adjusted to the new apartment: I know because we have to stop her from tearing the place apart.

I now work as a hostess in a restaurant, and I love it. I am confident in my ability to serve people by ushering them kindly to their seat...and I enjoy interacting with them. Such a change from working retail. A much better change for me. I actually feel refreshed after work.

I am also teaching a small drama class for 4th-6th grade home-schoolers. I enjoy them very much, and I cannot wait to watch their talents develop and shine this semester. I am also honored to have been given this opportunity. I must say - it is nice to know that I am using my college degree. :)

And there you have it. An update. I can't promise that I'll be a super consistent blogger again...but I will tell you that the blogging itch has returned. I might very well post again. And again. And maybe again.

Maybe. *wink*

Love,
Miranda