Two new births!

This weekend has been packed full of new births. First my sister and brother in law had their first baby Friday at 10:50 am. Her name is Jozlin Drena Palsmeier. She is 8lbs. 1oz. and 20 inches long. She was doing incredible things already. She would respond to my voice when I began talking to her. She would turn her head and make eye contact! Is that just incredible or what! It makes me so excited for our turn to see incredible things with our baby.










Another awesome thing happened today when my sister got baptized. James had the privilege to baptize her. Her heart was so ready for this. It was interesting how the morning worked out. James and I have been redoing our bathroom this weekend. Like all home projects they never work out the way you plan. We ran into some problems with the plumbing and our unleveled 1957 tub. So, we didn't have a way of showering or bathing this morning. I went to my parents house to shower so I could be ready for Cassie's baptism this morning. I came through their front door and she nailed me with a hundred questions. She was so nervous because she didn't have the information she wanted about how it would all play out. So, I was able to answer those questions, pray for her, and help her find some scripture related to baptism.

Everything worked out. I showered and we all rode to second service to share in the joy of Cassie declaring to the world her commitment to follow Jesus with her whole heart. Here she is all excited!
Here she is thanking God for being patient with her.
Where did she go? Oh yeah, being baptized!

Now, she is excited!
I love you Cas!

So, two new births and an undone bathroom. Hopefully James and I won't have to stink all week! The good still definitely outweighs the bad.

Not Under the Weather Anymore, Just Pregnant!

Due to many requests and guilt trips I thought it was time to breakout some updated pictures. I really have been wanting to do this for a while. I don't have any explanation but that... it didn't happen. Either way since it has been since DECEMBER 4TH, let's start there.

It wasn't until December 8th that James and I told anyone about the awesome news. After our first appointment with our doctor we decided to break the news to our parents. Actually let me take that back. The secret is out! Jennette new before anyone else. She just has this incredible gift I guess. We saw the Ross' at Thanksgiving and she asked me how I was doing. Before I said a word she said, "You're pregnant!" I had to say yes! Okay, so let's continue on.

After we told our parents, I had to let all our closest friends know. So, the next Wednesday at Arise, we first told the Hansen's then the Marshall's, Berryman's, and Koehn's. Don't worry guys this isn't in any type of privileged order.

At the Arise Christmas Movie night we announced it to all the students. I wanted to shout it out for so long! Here are our first pictures of baby.

This is baby at 11 weeks. Hopefully you can see what I can. If not, the baby's head is the right round part and the hand is by the mouth. You can see the legs and feet at the very left side of the picture. We were thrilled to have these because you don't normally get to have this much fun at the doctor when you are only 11 weeks. Next you will see a bigger change in baby.

















Wow, can you believe it! 8 weeks later and so much growth! I shouldn't have to explain this one. Our baby is healthy and about 7 inches here.

We haven't had any sono pictures since then. I am 25 weeks and 5days today so the baby weighs about 1.5 pounds and is 10-12 inches long. I have been feeling many weird things going on in my belly. I have actually felt the baby's either leg or arm. I feel all kinds of shifting, turns, kicks, and who know what else is going on in there! Let me tell you other events that have taken place since I blogged last.

Here is our group picture at White Out. James, Duane, Jennifer, Landon, Michelle, Brandon, and I took about 30 kids to Buena Vista, Colorado to Winter Camp. It was a great year. I of course didn't ski because of all the risks you know. The other thing is, oh I am a terrible skier. I have always been somewhat athletic and adventurous but I would have to admit, skiing isn't my think. We had a great time this year. We got a chance to meet up with Travis at the mall in Colorado Springs. We drove the worship band there and back which made for a full bus. The food is awesome too! I completely enjoy winter camp each year. I wonder what all the mom's out there would think if I said I would be willing to truck my 7 month old up to the mountains for camp next year. What do you think ladies? Am I crazy?

In March Arise (with the amazing leadership and passion of Maria) held a fund raiser called 30 Hour Famine. This is where students partner with an organization called World Vision and raise money to feed children in Africa. At the end of the process the students and many committed leaders go without food for 30 hours in order to understand hunger and what hungry children go through as a normal part of their lives. We locked the students in over night and played many activities. They also did community projects to serve the underprivileged people in our own community. One the tasks we did during that weekend was make 1208 crosses to represent the children that die each hour due to hunger. I don't have any pictures of the cleaning project that half of the students went to. They worked really hard to clean up a rental for Mennonite Housing. I heard that it was really bad. They did an excellent job and didn't even complain.















Okay, let's jump to April. Today is Easter and I took some pregnant Easter pictures because I knew I would be blogging today. In the above picture with the yellow shirt you can't see my belly so much but take a look at these!














I feel huge but when I look at these pictures I think, "I have got much more gettin bigger to do!"
This is my sister and I posing in front of our fireplace today during our Easter get together. We had my family over, ate, and talked about baby stuff. My mom and sister were able to feel the baby kick and move. Today my sister gave her life to the Lord while she visited our church for Easter! When she arrived at my house she said, "I gave my whole life to Jesus today!" I thought it was neat that she said WHOLE life. My sister is at a point where she knows it has to be her whole life if she is going to experience complete healing. I am so excited for what is going to happen!
Well, that is all the fun for now. This has been a wonderful Easter. I am just overwhelmed at the privileges God has given us here on this earth. Because of his resurrection he has brought us from death to life. I feel like I truly know more and more what that means each year. This year I can for sure say I have life because of him. Thank you Jesus! You are my Savior, Friend, Love, Redeemer, King, and Joy. I look forward to so much of what God has in store for James and I as parents and followers of the Most High.

For those of you who I see through out the week, I love you, Happy Easter, and will see you soon! For those of you miles apart or lives a part, I love you, Happy Easter, and I miss you!