I have....

The baby bug.

goodnight- :)

Two....

I can't believe that as I write this post my sweet little bear is running circles around the house with piggies in her hair, talking up a storm! I wonder where she gets all those words, and why she is the conversationist that she is? :) haha...for those of you who know me even a little bit, I think you can answer this question. From Jake! hehehehe, okay, really, she gets it from her mama!

Truly though, Addison is just one short month shy of two years old already. Anyone who is a parent knows how quickly the early years of our babies lives go by. I vividly remember my mom telling me as I complained of wanting school years to fly by or weeks to turn into weekends-- the words "don't wish your time away, it goes by too quickly!" I understand this in a way only a parent could now.

The first year of Addison's life went by fast, but being a new parent, certain "periods" of time were easy to transition out of....(um, I'm speaking of the night feeding months- for those of you in the dark :) and every week, really, brought new exciting milestones and the opportunity to trust my own instincts when it came to taking care of my baby. So although the year flew by and it was sad to see my infant turn into a baby, then a pre-toddler....it was a full year of many new, welcomed surprises!

This last year- oh my heart! Addison is a little girl, she knows so much already and I feel like I can watch this little one mature by the day and become more aware of the world around her and more excited to learn, grow and discover! This too, is a very exciting time in all of our lives....but where did this year go? Where are the chubby wrists and rolly-polly thighs I squeezed and kissed everyday? Did they disappear without my knowledge? How does that little brain form not only cohesive words- but sentences that make sense and often leave me in wonderment of how she even knows what she's asking or telling me?

My little baby is now a little girl who sings "Jesus loves me, Are you sleeping, and The Itsy Bitsy Spider," Followed by high pitched squeels and laughter rooted in the pure joy only a child can enjoy fully!

So I guess what I'm saying is, that in the last two years of life, the two years my little bear has been a part of our lives, EVERYTHING has changed- for me as an individual and a woman.

I feel like I know more of who I am and who I was made to be. I understand the reality of what it means to be more selfless, what it means to be a missionary in my own home, someone who loves unconditionally and with wreckless abandon- a small glimpse of how our Father loves us.

The things that once seemed so important in "my" life, the things that would fulfill "me" just don't have the meaning or intensity that they once did- and in surrendering my wants and dreams, God has only given me greater ones!

When I hear Addison Marie say "mommy, I wuv you!" "Is it tasty mama?" "Kiss mama" my heart could not be any more full...this child I have been given could not be more of a gift that literally keeps on giving. So as we enter into the next year of "toddler-hood" and our family continues to grow, dreams, hopes and aspirations are changed and continually molded by the potter... I look forward to the moments of joy, the lessons from hurt and the unmeasurable blessings that come from Jesus and cling to each moment.

Be Blessed!
K

Back at it...I hope! :)

Why hello blog! It has been a LONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG time! I've decided that it is time to give this another trying, seeing that life just might be a little bit more predictable and I just may be able to keep a regular update going via "The Oliver Story." I have SO much to update on and now that so many of our friends and family are on Facebook, and blogging themselves I decided this is the best way to reach you all!
Come back soon! I'm feeling like writing......

ah hem.... my goodness! I started this blog with the intention that it be the main way I could keep friends and family updated on the "happenings" in our life but time and life events have gotten the best of me. That and not having Internet at home for the last 8 plus weeks! Well we are online again and my how things have changed!

Just shy of 6 weeks ago the biggest and best blessing we have ever received made her way into our lives.... her name is Addison Marie and she is a gift and glimpse of Jesus's love!

As I write this blog she is next to me, swinging in her new Christmas swing dozing off to sleep. When I look at her my heart melts, literally. I don't understand how you can love someone so much, so deeply, so fast. The second she was placed in my arms my world changed. She has changed me so much already. I think differently and pray differently....love as I understand it and know it has completely changed. I wonder if this emotion that I feel so strong is similar to how our heavenly father loves us. I know that it would only be a fraction of how he cares for us but I believe its the best way I'll ever come close to understanding how much he loves me, and you. I thank God that she is a part of our lives and look forward to watching her grow. I pray everyday that her heart is already captivated by Jesus and that she already loves her savior deeply. I want her to know always the love He has for her and to walk intimately with Him.

Addison will be 6 weeks old on Sunday.... time is already flying. Before we know it she'll be six years old and heading off to kindergarten. *sob

Reflecting.....

2008 was a year of many changes and many ups and downs. We are so thankful that this has been a year of huge spiritual growth for both of us . Jake has had the blessing of serving in the children's ministry at First Christian. He loves teaching all the elementry school kids about Jesus. His faith and passion for the Lord continue to grow and spill into my life and now into Addisons. He is so excited and fired up. 2009 offers him more responsibility and a part time ministry position helping a dear friend and family pastor Kyle Bostock out one day a week. I don't think Jake ever would have imagined himself in ministry at all and now its one of his favorite things. His example in my life daily pushes me....I'm so thankful for Jake. He is beyond what I ever deserved. Having a Godly husband is priceless and amazing.

For me, I've learned to let go.....especially in the last few months of 2008. I realize in so many ways how I can hinder my own spiritual growth and how much I don't want to get in the way of God working in my life this year. I don't want to rest on what's comfortable. There are things "I" want and think I need, but ultimately its up to Christ to show me in what ways I must give up myself to further His work and His kingdom. I need the constant reminder that we were meant to live on earth to be in relationship with others and help them find our savior. It's not about me....although I'd often like for it to be. I look forward to allowing Him work in my life and in the relationships I have now and will develop this year. I crave a deeper prayer life and a deeper connection with Him.

I hope that you desire to grow this year in ways you never thought of.....outside the box ways that stretch you beyond yourself! DIVE deep into Him!

Happy New Year!
Kristine

counting down.....

It's officially November! Right now most people are buzzing about this historical election they will cast their votes for tomorrow, me, I'm breathing thru minutes and counting down hours until November 15th. In 12 short days a new addition to our family will be joining us. Actually, she is the first addition to our family, Addison Marie Oliver. Now that I've typed November 15th, I'm hoping she will spite me and come early....not late, early! :) Jake thinks that she will be here a week from today. I like his thinking, a week from today would be wonderful, 5 days early and on one of my greatest friends Birthdays.... Pray me in to labor friends! *wink

This last couple of weeks have been 2 of the hardest for me, and for Jake. With this struggling economy we've had some cutbacks and paycuts at work. The blessing is that we still have jobs, the hurt is the cut in pay and a baby on the way. Thankfully, we saved for my maternity leave and can focus on the Joy of our little girl.
The hard part for me is that in the midst of this "storm" I've had to face myself and my weaknesses and realize that I'm in a weak spot in my faith. It's always easy to trust God when things are "good".....I'm great at believing in His power when I don't need it so much....Right now, I'm struggling because I am having the hardest time trusting Him, understanding why we are in the midst of this struggle and believing that He will take care of us. I don't know what to pray for and how to pray for it. I know what I want to pray....I want to pray for tangible things, the gap to be restored, the security of our jobs, the business we work for to be fruitful, etc. but I know and believe that there is a bigger lesson in this....I believe that God wants Jake and I in this place of vulnerability for a reason.....He wants our attention, He wants us to grow, and He most definitely wants us to learn to lean on Him, not just say we do, to experience His power and learn that its not about us and our comfort and our "stuff".....I'm disappointed in myself that I am struggling to let go and let Him work.
I'm not writing all this so that those reading will feel sorry....writing is more therapeutic, and I guess if I can be transparent, and maybe someone else is in the same spot...they too could realize that God wants us to Grow even when it's tough, when the light at the end of the tunnel seems extremely distant. I think the message that Jesus wants us to receive is in the journey thru the tunnel as long and dark as it might be. His word should be (and I'm desperate to make it) the lamp unto my feet and the light unto my path.

Blessings.............