Happiness is . . .

. . . watching my husband take a nap with our daughter. . .


. . . and hearing Eliana giggle in her sleep.

Cherishing Moments with Family

A little over a week ago I Matt got to see my Grandpa again and quite possibly for the last time. He's an old corn farmer from Iowa who has lived a full and honorable life. He is 94 and still going (must be all that bacon and eggs for breakfast over the years). I got to see him and my grandma every Christmas when they flew out to Oregon to see two of their daughters and families that live here. We would also travel to Iowa every other summer to visit them and my aunt, uncle, and cousins there.
Over the last few years since Grandma passed, Grandpa hasn't felt as young and spry as he used to and didn't make it out this last Christmas. But luckily my aunt and uncle took some time off to fly with him out to Oregon one last time. It was good to see him and hang out but at the same time hard knowing that this goodbye would be the last time we see him till heaven. I choked a little bit as I said that last goodbye and "I'll see ya upstairs." He promptly replied "you'll see me with my wife"... such a testament to a guy who still loves his bride and can't wait to see her again. He's been a great example of one who loves God and his family well.


Here is a photo of the four generations.
Eliana with Sharon and I, My Mom and her dad, My Pa and his dad (who's 93)

random

Tonight while cooking dinner I heard a loud thud on one of the many large windows here at the Bailey house. My first thought was, "its kinda late for birds." To my surprise upon investigating, I found a small owl laying on the deck. I told Bob and he came up and picked it up right away. Luckily the little guy, which Bob identified as the Northern Pygmy Owl, was pretty dazed but still breathing. We got to watch him come to his senses and after 10 minutes take off into the night.

Love & R e s p e c t... (find out what it means to me)

This last weekend Sharon and I got to go to the Love and Respect marriage conference that was in town. It was sweet. To be honest, we had read the book 2 years ago while in Lithuania and it was ok. The author, Emerson Eggerichs, had some really good content but you could tell he just isn't an author. Well we found out he is a speaker and a dang good one at that. This guy did an amazing job and is one of the best communicators I have ever heard. Really. He had great content and a unique message, we loved it and are excited to tell others about what he had to say.

So if you only have access to the book read it. But if there is anyway you can see him in person or watch the dvd, do it.

for more info

Two Months Today

Eliana is two months old today.

Every time I look into her precious face, I feel like I'm looking in the face of a miracle!