I just spent about 20 minutes looking at beautiful pictures on pintrest. I walked away slightly anxious and overwhelmed. note to self... don't look at pintrest when you house is mess and everything around you is disorganized. http://www.pinterest.com/designmom/home-tours/

2 months, a new home, and fair thee well

Sophia is now 2 months old and is really coming into herself. We are amazed at how quickly she is growing and changing. What has been the most fun for me is to see her smile and "talk" with me. We have conversations on how best to cook dinners or what adventure we will embark on in the future. She has confided in me that she would like to visit the Aunts in England, skip over to the lake district and then up to the misty mountains of Scotland. May be when she's older...

In other news Scott and I have been enjoying the views from our new home! Yes we don't do things in halves! We figured why not have a baby and buy a house...you know get it all done at once. This place has been an extreme blessing and answer to prayer. things have been moving smoothly and we plan on being out of our apartment and setting up permanent residency on August 1, 2007. I will send out an email to everyone giving more details.

Also I wish to announce that this will be my last blog entry. That's right. I was never much of a blogger and I feel it's time to set my sights to other things. Besides who really cares about what I have to say...i know you all just want to see pictures of our sweet little one. So no fears we have pictures to view via Flickr. I will email you all that info so you can see Sophia grow. We love you all and can't wait to hear from each one of you who have been checking our site. Thanks. peace. Aimee Riley

One Month

Sophia is such a joy to have in our lives. We have been truly blessed by her sweet presence and we thank the Lord every day for the miracle that she is. She is healthy, mostly happy (especially after eating!) and starting to explore her new world. We went to the doctors for her one month check up and all is well. People have told me that this time goes by so fast and it is so true...I am trying to enjoy every minute. Thanks to family and friends I have been extremely encouraged and supported during this new transition in our lives. I do call my mom a whole lot more but it's been fun to share with her the joys and concerns I have. We are so excited to see our little one grow and change...and become the person the Lord has created her to be!

Sophia Elisabeth Riley

Sophia is now over 2 weeks old! Here are some more recent pics for you all to enjoy. Peace.

Happy Mothers Day

I'm sure you were all dying to see some pictures of the newest Riley so here are a few. I guess the first thing i have to say is, Thankyou Lord! and thank you, all who were praying for us. Sophia Elisabeth Riley was born at 4:50 AM friday, May 11. The events leading up to that moment were perfectly planned by our God despite the fact that Aimee and i were a little stressed to say the least because they were'nt the plans we had in mind when we couldn't get a hold of our midwife, and the hospital we were pre-registered at told us that they were under-staffed and we would need to go to another hospital. All this taking place while we are ready to go as Aimee's contractions were getting more and more unbearable. We felt like Mary and Joseph, there was no room for us anywhere and we didn't know where to go. I decided to leave and we went to Erlanger Hospital, downtown. The first person i saw when we got to the hopsital was an old friend whose wife had just had twins the day before and he guided us where to go, it was such a blessing. We checked in and they found Aimee to be 6 centimeters dialated with some heavy contractions. The nurses were all so sweet and accomidating. We were all to ourselves in a nice big room with big windows overlooking the city. It was a long dark night, but there there was a permeating beauty of God's presence and light. Aimee was so calm and focused. She is a woman who when she puts her heart and mind to something, does it with a true excellence. Our midwife showed up at 2:00AM much to our surprise since we could not get a hold of her, she had just got done delivering the baby of a couple who are close friends. The Midwife arrived just before Aimee's water broke and the long 2 hours of pushing would begin. I was with Aimee the whole time and the nurses who had done this countless times before were just as mesmerized as i was. They kept saying how great she was doing and how they just never see anything like how she handled it. Aimee was polite and with a qiuet focused determination. I guess the nurses were used to screaming and profanities being lavished upon the husband and nursing staff. Aimee had conquered something so amazing that day. It was like a victory over the last 2 years of battling lyme disease. The strength she showed was amazing and i could not be any prouder. Early that dawn our baby arrived, marking the very best day of my entire life. My love for Aimee has never felt so strong and the gift of a beautiful little daughter is such a blessing. God has been so good to us and has been our strength and help. He has shown us how trusting Him is the best thing and how He, the Author of life, has a story written for us all. We could not have done this without all your love, support and prayers.

Happy Birthday Keith

Keith turned 24 on Saturday so all the family headed out to the park for an alfresco lunch/ birthday bash. Here are a few pics from the afternoon....


Keith blowing out his candles. Linda made a delightful chocolate chip cake enjoyed by one and all!


The boys...Juden and Oak


Scott, Dove, and Amy Gast


Josh with his youngest Naya


Ella giving out hugs...especially for Meadow. How cute!

Up Date

All right I know I'm due for a little up date especially for my friends and family who haven't seen or heard from me in a while.
I am doing very well considering that I have about two weeks left before my due date. My midwife appointments are every week now and currently I have dilated 1 centimeter and well that's about it. I was a little discouraged but my sister-in-law made it clear to me I'm really doing well and I'm progressing and I have 1 down 9 more to go! Thanks for the encouragement Amy.
I had a church shower last sunday that was very special. We had a time of scripture reading and prayer for baby riley. Right now I'm just trying to enjoy myself and take things as they come. I am learning to be still and just relax and not obsess about the unknown. How am I putting this into practice? Tomorrow pedicure 1 p.m. Scott and I plan on spending a good portion of our weekend organizing and cleaning our apartment ...till it shines like the top of the chrysler building! This of course is a relief for me as I am starting to get irritated by all the dust.

Please call if you would like to know more of the nitty gritty emotional stuff or if you would like to be notified when the big day arrives. Your prayers are always coveted and drop me an email to let me know how you are doing if you can. I love you all. I may not be writing on my blog much more...just to warn you. Peace to you all. Aimee

Happy Birthday Dove

Dove enjoying the beginning of her family birthday party. She was so cute as she enjoyed her birthday cake and the party hats! What a sweetie!


Juden and I throughly enjoying and devouring our cake. Baby Riley seems to like cake too!


Meadow and Scott hanging out. Notice Meadow with the beautiful ribbons braided in her hair.

Class is out

Here are all the mothers to be at our birthing class. Now that we are done I don't know what we are going to do on thursday nights!