Second Time’s the Charm – A Grace Update

Today baby Grace is four months old.  I can’t believe she’s been with us for four months now.  I can’t imagine life without her.  What a blessing she’s been to our little family. 

To celebrate, she decided to unveil a new trick today.  I was working at home this morning when from the other side of the room I heard Catrina exclaim, “She rolled over!”  Of course I missed it….too busy reviewing some proposal or something.  Of course we put her back on her stomach to see if she could replicate the move, but alas, it wasn’t to be.  We only succeeded in making her mad.

We gave it another try after I got done working and the most amazing thing happened.  First she lifted her head and chest off the ground.  Then she brought one leg up, twisted to the side and let gravity do its job.   It was pretty unbelievable to watch.   While I didn’t get to see the first one, I’m glad I got to see the second. 

As amazing as that was, I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like to watch her take her first step, ride her bike without training wheels for the first time, get her driver’s license and take the car out for a drive, graduate high school, walk her down the aisl…….I don’t want to get ahead of myself.  It’s already going so fast.

You can check out some recent pictures of Grace Elizabeth at my wife’s blog.  I do love that little girl…

Weekend in Montana

This last weekend was the first time we have gone on a trip since Grace was born, 4 months ago.  Last Wednesday afternoon, we packed up everything in the CRV and headed east to Helena Montana.  We arrived in Helena on Thursday morning, after making it to Missoula and spending a night in a Motel 6 (you don’t expect much for $50/night, but at least it was clean). We spent three days with the Gallagher grandparents, as well as Uncle David and Aunt Lauren (Catrina’s brother and sister-in-law) and Cousin Tristan (their son).  We had a great time with the family.  Some of the highlights for me:

1. In the 23 hours of driving it took us to get there and back, Gracie only cried (the I’m starving and need my diaper changed’ scream) for 15 minutes.  That is amazing!  Praise Jesus that she didn’t cry longer, because that 15 minutes seemed like forever.  Ritzville couldn’t come fast enough.             
2. It was nice to get away from work/church stuff for a couple of days.  It’s been a stressful month and to have a couple days away from everything was a welcome relief.
3. The Montana City grill makes a mean prime rib.  It was fantastic.
4. I enjoyed spending time with family that we don’t get to see enough based upon the distance between us.  It was a pleasure to watch the cousins (Grace and Tristan) interact…and by interact I mean stare at each other and occasionally smile.
5. Catrina is a great driver.  I feel totally comfortable when she’s driving over mountain passes at night.  So comfortable in fact that I can put my chair back, wrap my coat around my head and try and take a nap.

Catrina has also commented on the trip as well.  You can see what she had to say and view some pictures at her blog:  Somathose Majacks

15 weeks…

Gracie and Mom

Thanksgiving…

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year with the family….

Here we are…everyone except Mark, who’s in the Air Force (We miss you and love you buddy). 

We didn’t know it at the time, but it would be the last holiday we would spend with my Grandma Marie.  What a blessing it was to have one last great day with her.  She suffered a stroke the Sunday after Thanksgiving and when home to be with the Lord on December 11.  She was on this earth for 100 years and was healthy and strong and funny right up to the end.  Here she is holding Grace on Thanksgiving (she’s on the left)…

 I have a lot of things to be thankful for… my Grandmother is certainly one of them.  I am thankful that the Lord blessed our family with such a wonderful woman.  I am thankful that the Lord gave her a long life.  I am that I was able to tell her how much I loved her before she died.   I am so thankful that she was here to meet our baby Grace.  I am thankful for all the wonderful memories.  I can’t wait to tell Grace all about her Grandma when she gets older.

She will be missed…

Today is a Special Day

Proverbs 18:22   He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Four years ago today, I met Catrina Gallagher for coffee at Starbucks in Tukwila…it was our fist date.  

Three years ago today, I watched as she walked down the aisle in a beautiful white dress….it was our wedding day. 

This morning,  I woke up and got to see my wife holding our baby daughter Grace….it is our third anniversary.

Proverbs 31:10  An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.

By God’s grace, I found an excellent wife.  I am a blessed man.  Happy Anniversary Catrina.  I love you…