Ella Rose

Scott and I had his niece for two days while Linda gave birth to her new little sister Naya Faith. We just loved having Ella hang out with us. Children are such blessings and Ella is no exception. I loved how she would cuttle with Scott and laugh really loud when something amused her. Now when I see her running around her house I feel a little bit closer to her and that makes me feel really good.

Again and Again

Linda's birthday was last week but since everyone was ill we went out this weekend. It was nice to get out and enjoy some fellowship with all the family here it chattanooga. Now we are just waiting for babies to be born. My friend Kelly was due yesterday but I haven't heard any news on if her little girl has taken her first breath. Linda is due any day and we are hopefully awaiting the turning of her little girl so that birth will be more comfortable for both her and Linda. I'm getting bigger of course. I've been trying to eat anywhere between 80-100 g of protein each day. I know this is a lot but this will help our little one grow...I will be 29 weeks on wednesday which is exciting and I'm still feeling really good for the most part.

I must admit though that I have been doing a lot of reading and research about the birthing process and I'm trying hard not to freak out. Its hard for me to trust that everything is going to work out and that I'm not going to be tossed about having things done to me that will harm me and my child. A few people warned me not to get overly consumed with this part of birth but alas I have succumb to it! The cool thing is that God doesn't let me get too far with my vain thoughts. On feb 8 I had a pretty hard day and when i opened my devotional this is what I read....

"Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear. Rather look at them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto; do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations." ~Frances de Sales

Again I am reminded...again and again I am reassured of the truth i try to live.

In other news...we are doing some major cleaning and organizing, we plan on buying a bunch of organic beef from a local farm, I plan on going to a family Chiropractor the last two months of my pregnancy to help ease back pain and getting ready for labor, scott continues to do side jobs but is learning to take time off to...play some golf! (He's really good too!) And we are getting more involved in church activities and fellowship which has been a good stretch for us. Also my brother and his wife will be going to Japan on Friday...I think their really excited.

a pinch and a punch for the first day of the month

My Uncle Harold used to say that... i've been urged to jot some things on our blog, i'm always so reluctant and usually find something else to do. Maybe it's cause it all seems so technological and i have no idea who in the world is going to read it, it seems a bit strange, but i'm trying not to think about it, here i go getting all wordy like i knew i would instead of just getting on with it. Well, i've been asked to share thoughts on this time in our lives. It's been marvelous, the thought of holding a child, our own child very soon simply amazes me, what else can i say, i'm overjoyed, i've been working more hours than i care to even try to keep track of. I just finished a big marble shower and now i'm in another house doing a huge tumbled marble shower and tub, slate laundry room, of course trying to work on everything at once so as not to hold up the cabinet guys and granite countertop guys. Then there's always the big house by rock city with seven bathrooms i'll be working on next. I'll be helping my neighbor tomorrow by tiling the floor in his bathroom. I think all this work is good though, it comes in seasons and i'm sure all the extra hours of pay will come in handy once we start caring for this baby. I just wish sometimes i could spend more time with Aimee and soak in each changing day, It was nice to walk in the snow with Aimee this morning, i love snow days, i decided not to rush on to work this morning, it's always 4 or 5 degrees colder on the mountain and the drizzle now could be ice up there. A working Buddy is on his way to pick me up, we'll be working in the same house today. I feel a bit safer in his big old 4x4 Ford pickup, the only thing i fear are these crazy southern drivers who've never seen snow. Well I'm off...

Some Promised Pictures

I have passed my six month marker which is very exciting and freeing.
Some of you have been curious to see how big I am getting. I hope these pictures will help.
The baby moves a lot more and as I did when I was in the womb she is kicking into my ribs.
I can hear my father say...you reap what you sow my child.
I'm loving all the energy and clearness I feel right now.
I crave anything citrus lemons,limes, oranges ect. I think it helps with my indigestion and
of course I still drink water like its going out of style!

What We Are Created To Be

I must say that there are only a handful of books that I have read in my life that have truly changed my heart and mind about the way I live my life. This book by Debi Pearl is one of those books. It is a MUST for every woman...I don't care if you've been married for years, are just starting out or still dreaming of that special someone. I'm not even done reading yet and I wish I had a copy for every woman I know. What do I love about it? Well...it's raw and filled with Biblical truth for starters, but most importantly it works. I started doing just a few of the things she mentions and my marriage has already been more of everything I need and want. This book has been a refreshing change from all the pregnancy books I've been consumed by lately, and I'll tell you what, I feel way more blessed by this then anything I've read in a long time. Go ahead give it a try...read this book....I dare you!

Nesting and resting in the Lord...

So I have officially entered the "nesting" phase of pregnancy. Things are getting cleaning and organized, thrown away, and stored properly. I must admit I love to throw things away! It's a very freeing feeling when that old bottle of suntan lotion you thought you should keep gets eliminate. Score! another clean space for me to live with. I love space and totally prefer it to stuff being shoved in every corner of my entire apartment. Also, I feel more inclined to look for a house when our little space is straightened up and ready to go. I'm trying to box things up with that thought in mind. It just makes it all so much more comforting to me.

On another note scott and I will be starting our birthing classes this Thursday. We had originally wanted to just take the classes the hospital had to offer but then decided to go with the more intense route and do the Bradley classes a few people had told us about. This class will be 12 weeks long and cover pretty much everything you could possible want...or not want to know about having a baby with the emphasis on having a natural birth. That's right you read right...a natural birth. I'm shooting for that but I am NOT opposed to having medical intervention if necessary. My reasons for having a natural birth are mainly because I am a curious cat and I want to know how bad this pain is going to be. I may sound crazy but remember i'm the girl who went to school for out door education and lived in the woods for half of my high school and college life...being chased by bears, followed by strange men, dealing with crazy campers, bad bad flesh wounds, storms, mountains, raging rivers....ect. I want to experience life... i was taught that at school so i'm going for it. Also people say recovery is easier and faster when you have a natural birth and that sounds good to me. I know i may sound a bit flippant when i speak about this but really i've done a lot of praying and thinking and I'd like to at least try. The cool thing is that I know my friends and family are supporting and praying for me and that what ever happens the Lord is with me. Also I realized a few weeks ago that my due date is also the same day as the national day of prayer! Sweet! I can't think of a better day to have my girl then when millions of people will be praying to the Lord!

Another wonderful thing that has really blessed our lives these past few weeks is the way the Lord has been providing for us. Scott and I have been a member of Samaritan Ministries for over two years now and we are reaping the benefits of being part of this organization. Since we don't have regular insurance we joined Samaritan by giving money each month to people in need. We pray for them, send a card and send a check. Since Samaritan covers births we started to receive cards and money from people all over the country. I can't tell you how awesome it has been to be so blessed. One note stood out to me..."Dear Mr. Scott and Mrs. Aimee I hope that your baby comes out well. We will pray for you. May God bless you and your family." I thought that was cute....I hope my baby comes out well too!

Its been a busy couple of weeks. well to be more accurate my days seem to ebb and flow with times of rest and peace and then filled with running errands, work, hanging out with people and playing games. In it all though, I know my life is changing and I'm not just talking about physically which is obviously the case right now but in other ways as well. Let me try and explain without being too...umm mawkish.

Generally when i go through change in my life I have a very hard time. Ask my mom she'll attest to this with a resounding YES. I don't really know exactly why i'm like this...its just me. When I get plunked down into a whirlwind of change I kick and scream (internally) and I want out, I want control and "freedom" from what every is forcing itself upon my unwilling body. I hardly ever went right to the Lord or spent time really reflecting my fears. Lately though, I feel more drawn to getting myself comfortable on our couch and really getting into the Bible and finding comfort there. Yes, I know this is a very simple thing and something I should have been doing more of years ago but hey that's how things go sometimes. Maybe I feel a bigger responsibility knowing that I've got a little baby growing inside of me. One day she'll be asking me questions and looking at my life and I want her to see the truth that I cling to. I'm not a solid person but I want my children to see Christ in me and this is the only way I see that happening.

This is meant as an encouragement to all who read and as a way for me to share my heart. I'm not about spouting out how good I am! We all struggle with what we believe and why. I want to say that through Christ we find our answers we just have to be still long enough to let it happen. At my parents farm house I was reminded of this simple and beautiful truth. My parents have sheep and they have the young ewes down in the pasture near the house. Every day I was there I went down to give the girls crackers. They would get so excited to see me and bahhh and leap up to receive my treats. Only one of the girls, Raven, would eat the crackers and then just hang out with me. The other two were too scared and freaked out to come close to me even though i had just given them all treats. So I would sit down and love on this little black lamb. She let me massage her back and head. She would get so into it that she would sway and start to close her eyes, just letting me love on her. Later that day I thought on how this event was an example of how I approach my God. Sometimes I just take what I want and run off afraid I might get hurt if i get too close or even worse I just don't care and can't be bothered with it. But sometimes like Raven, I get up close and get real still and let the Lord lavish his love on me. The thing i forget sometimes is that he actually enjoys this. It says he DELIGHTS in us! Amazing isn't it?

I'm growing!

Over Christmas I really started to show and so we decided my body was finally picture worthy! ha! I am feeling so much more alive and energetic and I am also very thankful that our little girl is healthy and growing strong. She is a pretty active one as far as I can tell and I just LOVE feeling her kick and wiggle around. Sometimes I'll just sit back and watch my belly pop out and in as she moves about. Scott has started to read more about the whole pregnancy thing. I think it overwhelmed him at first. I received so many different books from friends and family members he didn't know which one to start with! Now he is telling me bits of facts that he has been learning and I am thankful that he is able to take some time during his busy day to find out more about this amazing experience we are going through together.

Home for Christmas

Scott and I made the 11 or so hours up to my parents house in Kempton, PA for Christmas this year. Actually first we stopped off in Elmer, NJ to spend some quality time with Scott's sister Heather her husband Steve and their four energetic and lovely children. Then up to the farm house where we spent Christmas eve and the morning of Christmas day. Then down to Cherry Hill, NJ to visit with the Schimpf's and then back up to the farm late that night. Boxing day was spent with Scott's grandparents and the Suliks up at the farm. Everyone had a wonderful time except maybe Steve! My mom's parents came the next day and we enjoyed some laughs, stories, and good food. In between all of the visiting Scott and I had a chance to soak in the beautiful country air and walk the peaceful grounds of my parents property. My favorite times were spent loving on the ewes that had been born last spring, watching the deer prance about, sitting by the fire with my loved ones, and playing Apples to Apples with my parents and Scott. All in all a wonderful time spent laughing and loving.


The girls raven and lucy

Nana, Poppy and my cousin Lauren's baby Chase Bradley

Scott and his grandparents eating gift basket goodies

My Dad and Caleb Sulik going to feed the rams and levi

My beautiful parents Christmas morning

Scootonius turns 26 years old

Today is my husbands birthday! What a simply amazing and loving man! Give a shout out for Scott James Riley!! Yahooo! I love you Scott....always and forever!

December 15

"Trust also in him." Psalm 37:5

"The word trust is the heart word of faith. It is the Old Testament word, the word given to the early and infant stage of faith. The word faith expresses more the act of the will, the word belief the act of the mind or intellect, but trust is the language of the heart. The other has reference more to a truth believed or a thing expected."

"Trust implies more than this, it sees and feels, and leans upon a person, a great, true, living heart of love. So let us "trust also in him," through all the delays, in spite of all the difficulties, in the face of all the denials, notwithstanding all the seemings, even when we cannot understand the way, and know not the issue; still "trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass." The way will open, the right issue will come, the end will be peace, the cloud will be lifted, and the light of an eternal noonday shall shine at last."

"Trust and rest when all around thee
Puts thy faith to sorest test;
Let no fear or foe confound thee,
Wait for God and trust and rest.

"Trust and rest with heart abiding,
Like a birdling in its nest,
Underneath His feathers hiding,
Fold thy wings and trust and rest."

~Streams In The Desert~

I'm Sorry I Forgot

I was driving today and I was thinking about my nephew Jonathan Peter. I had written his birthday down in both of my calendars but I still forgot to call him or write a card. But though I forgot his birthday I could never forget him. If I were to describe my nephew words like caring, kind, loving, creative and joyful all come to mind. I was overjoyed to have him stay with us for my brother's wedding. And although Jonathan Peter is only 6 he was so helpful, never complaining, and always interested in what other people had to say. I was amazed by his zeal for life and the way he just loves to sing his heart out. At one point during our visit we were out side and as I sat indian style he bounced around me telling me the Bible verses and songs he was learning in Kindergarden. I remember soaking in those moments remembering how beautiful the day was as he skipped around me sharing his heart. I feel so blessed to know this child and to watch him as the Lord continues to mold and shape him into the man he will someday become. I know I may be over doing it a bit, but I'm allowed to since I'm his Aunt and I have bragging rights. Yes I may have forgotten for a little while his birthday but I could never forget him and how much I love him!

IT'S A ....

What a joy this is to share with you all! How can I want for anything this Christmas when I have been given the gift of life!

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name
In earth and sky and Sea
There is none beside Thee
God in three persons Blessed Trinity!

Give it up

Well...I've been having a hard time giving things up lately. I'm not talking about drinking or smoking or what ever physical vice plagues are society...but similar i guess. I have always had a hard time letting things go and surrendering my own thoughts and will to the Lord. Even at a young age (and my parents can attest to this) I would worry my head about silly issues that should not have even crossed my mind. Like...do we have enough gas in the car, are we going to get there on time, do we have enough money for the groceries, or is that man following us?! I know it sounds kind of dumb but hey that was me growing up. Now that I'm older you would think i would grow out of this malarky but oh no i have just shifted worries to bigger and better things.
In my birthday card my husband wrote to me that this time in my life is going to be a time of surrender and trusting the Lord completely for the workings in my life. He was right and not two hours after i read his card did i start to feel i was slipping out of control. Are we going to have enough money, is my baby healthy, am I going to be a bad mom, are we ever going to find a house to buy, will my husband have an injury at work, will i be able to be a blessing to everyone, and on and on it goes.... I guess most of my friends and family if they are honest with themselves would admit to having the same temptation as I do... to just try and hold tight to what we can't even control. Jesus says that if one holds on to his life he will lose it but if he would let it go then would it be gained. Also since I am pregnant I am finding through my readings that during labor if you relax and go along with the contractions you will have an easier time then if you fight them and tense up. Letting go is so hard though and it takes great concentration for me to really flesh this out in my life, but i know that once i am free to be still and loosen up that is when i will feel most alive and safe. If you are reading this i would ask for your prayers concerning this time in my life. And old lesson for me but always a needed one. Thank you and God bless.

Seventeen Weeks

So I'm seventeen weeks pregnant today. Some of you are probably wondering what I look like at this point. Well I just tried to take a picture of my belly but it turned out really really stupid and to be honest although I have gained some poundage in my abdomen area it just looks like I've drank one too many beers. So sorry to all of you who are curious you'll just have to wait a little longer. I did have my third visit to my mid wife which went very well. I could really hear the babies heart beat and she told me that everything seems to be perfect...my weight gain...and the babies heart rate. My ultrasound is scheduled for Dec 6th at 11:00 am so we will find out the sex of the baby very soon! And YES we are letting people know...although my dad thinks I should wait till Christmas to tell my mom which I think might drive her crazy. Ha! Some of you may also be wondering how I am feeling and all the little quirks that go along with me being pregnant. Well, I am still struggling with nausea but not nearly as bad as a few weeks ago. I don't have any really bad cravings for thing but I have been enjoying pasta a lot more especially sprinkled with cheese and some Nutritional Yeast which is wonderful for being pregnant (or so I've heard). I also love cinnamon gum which seems to settle my stomach down and I can't seem to handle salad like I use to which is a pity since I love green things. I am moody and weepy and at times I have really crazy vivid dreams but other than that I'm just as normal as can be. ( just kidding) Mostly I am just so thankful that this baby is healthy from what we can tell so far and that I am progressing nicely. The Lord has blessed us so abundantly and I am daily grateful for his blessings. This thanksgiving we have so much to be thankful for even if what I am thinking of is still such a tiny little thing!

A Beautiful Day

It was clear and cool and one of the last days where the leaves lingered on the trees. Everyone gathered in the candle lit church to celebrate and witness the joining of two people in holy matrimony. As I stood in the front taking it all in I distinctly felt the Holy Spirits pull. As the little children rang bells to usher in the bride I couldn't hold back the tears and I was reminded of how we are to come before the Lord as little children willing and open. The music was amazingly peaceful and filled with such overwhelming joy. My brother looked smashingly handsome and his bride was dazzling. Having a lot of my family there was such a joy for me and my brother's children Jonathan and Kylie Joy were the highlight of the weekend for me. I love to reconnect with loved ones and we were able to do that the whole weekend long. The love and support I felt from everyone was such a gift. And now my brother and his new wife are off in the Virgin Islands having the time of their newly married lives and I wish them well and God's love on their marriage. Overall it was a beautiful day!

Make Me Stop and Stare

It has been a busy couple of weeks. Not insanely busy like some times I've had in my life but busy enough to make me take in some deep breaths and pray for help. Yet its a good time. The musical went well. I almost found myself crying a few times because the students really did a splendid job of taking it to the top. Now its over, the curtain has been closed for the last time, and I'm back home getting things ready for the next big event....my younger brother's wedding. Now that its almost here I'm finding it a bit strangely wonderful. I can remember him when he was so young. Squirmy with a high pitched voice, He was cute, a cute terror, but aren't all little brothers? We weren't close as children, only as we entered high school did we find a connection. I'm blessed because I have such a young man as my brother. I love him so much and I want the best for he and his future wife. Lord willing each year that passes will grow us closer and for that I am exceedingly hopeful and I'm thankful for having had the chance to stop and look back and thank God for the goodness and provision he has had in the life of my brother Jon. Yahweh has been gracious indeed and my prayer for my brother is that God will continue to be gracious to him and envelope him in his love and peace.

You Are The Sun

" You are the sun shining down on everyone*Light of the world giving light to everything I see*
Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in*And everywhere you are is warmth and light*
And I am the moon with no light of my own* Still you have made me to shine*And as I glow
in this cold dark night*I know I can't be a light unless I turn my face to you*

~Sara Groves and Matt Bronleewe

Thoroughly Modern Madness!!

Anybody that knows me well knows that I'm extremely passionate about acting. I've always been a little actress at least that's what my mom says to me. And if you ask my friend Charlotte she will tell you all the funny and crazy times we had acting for our high school productions. So when Scott and I moved to TN and I happened upon a drama teacher position available at the local Christian school I was excited. The ironic thing is when I finally decided to pursue the job my brother's at the time girlfriend had already gotten the position! Well this worked out much better than I could have dreamed because she needed some help and I was more than excited to help with anything. And so that's what I did. Now my brother's girlfriend/soon to be wife has been sweet enough to ask me back pregnant and all. SO here we are a week before the Thoroughly Modern Millie Production and its quite madness if you really want to know. But secretly this is my most favorite time...the pressure of time and place colliding into one big emotional ball. We still have so much more to go in one week but the beautiful thing is that these young adults are going to shine, through the power of our Lord and Savior and I'm so blessed to be able to witness this once again. Because I believe the Lord can redeem all things until himself the musical arts no exception... I lean on him fully for this time. There are a few things in this life that make me feel close to the spirit of the Lord....Children, beautiful worshipful music, the created order, and the fine arts. Drama stirs my soul it always has and I know it always will. So in closing I ask for your prayers as we move into this very hectic time. And if you have a passion for musicals and are in the area please come and see the show... Nov. 9-11. and if you want to find me I'll be back stage sitting on a stool munching on cracker and peanut butter opening and closing the curtain.

The Blaze

I think someone should change Halloween to Candy Consumption Day. I mean what are we celebrating here? Yeah kids get to dress up but if there was no candy would children of all ages still go out and romp around on a blustery fall evening? Personally I don't think so. Well except maybe the little ones. My nephew Juden seemed to really enjoy himself last night but I think he was a bit confused about why everyone was getting candy. He kept asking us all why candy? Why candy? I think he was also extremely intrigued by how many people were out and about. It was so precious to see all of the nieces and nephews running around having the time of their little lives. Well until maybe around 8 o' clock when the combination of over stimulation, sugar, and tiredness produced the most chaotic scene. Ahh! Halloween with little ones! But all in all it was a fun evening of visiting and sneaking some candy for myself.








Juden blowing on his sucker