Update

     It's been a while, I know. Life has been busy. February was full of us buying our first house! James getting his cast off, and Josh and I celebrating our 2nd anniversary. March was full of picking out things for the remodeling of our house... paint colors/flooring/lighting...etc... and April was filled with moving! We have officially moved into our new house!... there's still some construction still left to be done, but it's getting there.
     I have to say, while buying the house, remodeling it, and fixing the house up, has been a trying time for Josh and I's marriage, but it's been a good growing season for us. We've had to make decisions about the house, and what to fix or not to fix. There have been many late nights of painting, packing, and crying. I'm so grateful that Josh has been so patient with me throughout life but especially with the house.
     Baby Ezra Mark is due to make his entrance around July 6th, so it's been a busy season for us trying to prepare for baby #2. James is finally crawling, standing, and almost ready to walk! He absolutely loves walking with his walker!
     I just came back from Colorado a couple weeks ago visiting my family for my brother's Highschool and collage graduation. James is finally back into being himself again after having a rough time adjusting to a new surrounding and such in Colorado.
     I broke down a couple weeks ago, and cried. I cried because I was so overwhelmed with everything going on in my life, and the things to happen in the next couple months. I cried because I felt like I couldn't go any further. I cried because there've been some trials in my life the last couple days, and I just felt overwhelmed. God is still good though, isn't he?! My husband reminded me when he got home that night, "Caitlin, it's all in Gods hands. Don't be worried, God's got it!" Even in those times of need/stress/overwhelm, God is right there, guiding us through it all.
     Have any of you seen "Facing the Giants"? If not, I'd recommend this movie! In the movie, the main character and his wife go through several trails, and midway through the movie, they realize they need to change the way they think. They need to pray more, trust God more, and have more faith. By the end of the movie, him and his wife find out some good news, and all he has to say is, "God, oh God, I'm overwhelmed".  There are many times in my life that I've felt overwhelmed. Although, nothing like I am in the present. God gets us through each individual trial in HIS timing.
     While I was in Colorado, a dear friend and sister in Christ at our church passed away after battling brain cancer for months. She left behind her husband and 9 children, the youngest being 10 months. It was a tough death in our church. The first death for many of the young ones to understand. It was very overwhelming for our church to go through, but God was there. It's been a rough season, but a good season, and through it all, we've seen Gods hand at work in the many lives of our friends.

Isaiah 43: 2-3, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God..."

    How has your start of summer been? Do you plan on doing anything big this summer? I'd love to hear all about it! 
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It's Been A While...

     It's been a while since I posted anything on blogs. Truth is, it's been a good break. I needed it. Figuring out how to be a mom, and to still keep up with everything else has had its challenging moments. So, what's the update? Our little baby boy is 3 1/2 months old now! James has been smiling since he was 6 weeks old! He loves to be outside, just sitting on our porch sitting with me on our swing. He can roll over from his back to his side now, and he loves to chew on things... whether that be fingers, blankets, arms. ;) James LOVES being held! He also gets upset when you leave him in a room by himself for too long.
     Being a mom is amazing, and rewarding, and also challenging at times. At this moment, I'm typing with one hand, and holding my little boy on my lap with the other. ;) I've been slowly writing a post on my blog. I usually get as far as writing a paragraph when something comes up, and my duty as a mom needs attention. So, this posts I've been writing for a couple weeks, little by little, and updating as needed.
     James started to laugh for the first time this last week. And oh, it filled my heart! My husband and I were reminiscing last week about how far we've come. How we met, courted, got engaged, married, and now have a baby! A baby who used to sleep and cry all the time, and now he smiles, he's found his thumb, is laughing, and loves brightly colored things. James loves to be outside, so whenever he's fussy and he just woke up, I just take him out there for a bit.
     So, that's the update that I have. Life with our little guy is full. Being a momma full time is challenging, and wonderful at the same time. I've been learning all sorts of new things about our little boy.  During the challenging moments, my husband is so patient with me, and is always encouraging me and reminding me of Gods blessings that He's given to us, and how every day is a gift that we need to thank Him for.

He's going to be a thumb sucker. ;)

He loves to stick out his tongue now!

Those Cheeks!!!

Not sure what this face was for... I think he was blowing bubbles...

He loves tummy time now! :)

What have ya'll been up to this summer? I'd love to hear about it! Leave a comment below...

Introducing...

We welcomed little baby James Randal Narwold into this world on Wednesday, June 1st. He weighed 6 Ibs. 1oz. and was 23 1/4". He was born 2 weeks early, so he's such a little guy. Our hearts are full! 💕 

Grammy and Grandpa meeting their first grandbaby!

Snuggle Time with Daddy! <3

Complaining

     Lately, I've been feeling very pregnant! I'm 29, almost 30 weeks along now, and my belly's getting bigger, it's getting harder to bend over and pick things up, harder to stand for a long time, and harder to do things without losing energy. It's gotten me frustrated many times. I feel bad that I don't have the strength I used to, and it got me to thinking, "I haven't even had my first child, and I know moms who've had their 8th, 9th, or 10th baby. How do they do it?" I'm a complainer. I often tell my husband, "I'm going to be a pathetic wife, because I'm already a complainer, and I haven't even had our baby yet."
     It got me to thinking about the Israelites, and how they often complained in the wilderness and the desert. In Exodus and in Numbers, we see how often they complained; yet God was still faithful, and merciful, and continued to give the Israelites things to sustain them. God will provide ALL our needs.  God brought the Israelites through the desert, for forty years, where there was no possibility of them caring for themselves.  God provided their water miraculously from a rock, their food - manna that fell miraculously from heaven, a cloud cover by day so they would not be scorched by the desert sun, and a pillar of fire that covered them by night to keep them warm.

     God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He watches over His word to perform it.  (Ezekiel 12:25) He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

     So for now, I'm taking it one day at a time. I'm in awe that there's a baby growing inside of me, who's already wanted and loved far beyond words can express. I'm grateful to God for answering our prayers, and giving us a little baby inside my womb. Every time our baby James moves, and kicks, I'm reminded of a sweet blessing from God that was given to us, when we didn't deserve such a gift! So, yes, the back pain will continue, and the bending over and standing up will continue to get harder, but in the end, when I have our baby boy in my arms, I can said, "It was all worth it!" We love you baby James! <3

      Just for cuteness sake, here's a picture of my little niece on Resurrection Sunday. Isn't she a cutie?! She's already almost 8 months old! Time flies! This time time next year, she'll have a little 9 month old cousin to play with!<3

Gender Reveal!!!

I'd like to introduce to you our baby BOY.... James Randal Narwold!!!

 James is my husband's father's name, and it's also a biblical name. Randal is my dad's middle name. :)

 James is doing great!
He's got his daddy's long feet and long spine. ;) I'm 21 1/2 weeks along now, and feeling great! We can't wait to welcome our little boy!

Keeping Christ in Christmas

     Christmas approaches very fast! It's not uncommon anymore to hear "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". What happened? Jesus is no longer the reason for the season any more. Now, it's true that we should celebrate Christ birth and resurrection every day, not just on the "specific days"; but when did it become too much to hear, "Merry Christmas!"
     A couple days ago, I watched a video of what kids thought Christmas was about, and who they thought Jesus was, what kind of gifts He was brought...etc.. It was extremely disappointing to see how far mis-lead these kids were. You heard some of them say that Jesus was brought lots of money, and clothes; and you heard some kids say that Jesus came as a king riding on a camel. It's very unfortunate that some kids aren't taught the real meaning of Christmas.
     Last week, after going to the store, an older man greeted me with, "Happy Holidays!" I almost said Happy Holidays back, but stopped myself and said, "Merry Christmas!" instead. He looked at me like I was crazy, and moved on. I couldn't help but wonder, what changed? Why have we stopped using Christ in Christmas? Christmas isn't a time for presents, trees, lights, goodies, and such. (although that's fun too!) But, the real reason why we celebrate Christmas, is because we celebrate Jesus coming down to this earth, in the form of "Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:12,16)
     "And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night, and behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:7-14)
     Let's not forget the real reason why we celebrate Christmas! And this Christmas season, let's keep Christ in the Center! After all, He's the reason for the season! :) Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

Love

Wednesday, I had the privilege of going to our friends, the “Davidson’s” to help out. When Mrs. Davidson left to go have coffee with some friends, she left me in charge of the “kiddo’s”. They range from 9 months-14 yrs.  While the older ones did their chores, math, and such, I took care of the “Little’s”. I held, and fed, the 9 month old, “Owen”, while I watched the other little kids play at their playground. When I went to put Owen to sleep, Talitha (14 yrs.) told me, “Caitlin, when you put Owen to sleep, tell him that you love him, and he’ll go to sleep just fine.” So, I smiled, set Owen down in his crib and said, “Owen, I love you!!!” As I stroked his cheek
and head. He smiled at me, and giggled. I was so amazed that even a simple, “I love you!” made him
 feel safe and secure!

     I’m sure everyone appreciates it when someone says, “I love you!” whether it’s a parent, sibling, spouse, or a family member. We all love that small taste of appreciation. I know I do! 

     I can’t tell you how many times I tell my sibling or parent I love you and they respond back with not only even more love, but sometimes a hug or a simple smile! 

     

    Christ also loves us. He loves us through the smiles, tears, trials, and triumphs. I posted a couple verses below that talk about Christ love for us. Enjoy! :)

John 3:16"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

1 John 4:9-12 
"By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us."John 13:34-35"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another."

Romans 5:8 

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 8:37-39 

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, 
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Galatians 2:20 

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.

Psalm 37:28 

For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever; But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.

Proverbs 8:17 

"I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

Deuteronomy 7:9 

"Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving-kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

1 John 3:1 

See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 

I choose Life!

As many of you know, I am Pro-life!!!
On Sunday our pastor was talking about how God cares for the unborn/born babies and children of this world.
He opened up verses that I didn't even know existed!

For instance, did you know that in Exodus 21:22-25 it says, " “If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide. ²³ But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, ²⁴ eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵ burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise."

And in Exodus 22:22-24 it says, "²²You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. ²³ If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; ²⁴ and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless."

It saddens me when another baby is killed. A friend of ours from church, went with a friend to an abortion clinic, and took babies out of the dumpster, and gave them a proper burial.
Please be Pro-Life!

Abortion Survivor: Gianna Jessen (OCTOBER BABY was inspired by her Story!)