An Update and Prayer Requests

I know it has been almost a month since my last post.  But, in my defense, it isn't me that has made this gap so big!  It's all bloggers fault!  It will not let me upload any pictures from my computer to this blog.  It is an extremely frustrating experience.  

So, there is my excuse, and I really don't feel like talking a lot about it because it still isn't working...and I'm still frustrated that it isn't working.

I emailed our friend, Jon, and asked him if he had any ideas and he said to upload it to Picasa Web Albums and then to the blog.  Well that worked, and I was all excited to finally have a post ready!  So I uplaoded all the pictures and wrote up most of the post in about 2 hours.  I was excited.  The next day we pull up blogger and all of the writing on the post was gone and a few pictures too (the majority of the pictures were still there, but the writing takes the longest).  

So, ever since then, I have been avoiding blogger because I will not let this little computer make me upset!  It is so frustrating...I've tried for at least 9 days to upload one picture and it still isn't working.  It uplaods all day and never completely uploads.  So, that is a little bit of my vent on how much I love blogger right now.  I still have a lot of frustration left in me, but I'll keep it to myself, because you didn't come to hear my ventings.

So, focus, Kimber, focus!!!

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I want to give the update first and then the prayer requests.

Once again, I really want to tell you all about what's going on, Judah's milestones, birthday parties we've celebrated...but I can't.  I don't know if Jesus is using this lovely blog of ours to teach me longsuffering, or not.  It sure seems like it.

But, I said I would focus.

Until the Lord decides to heal our blog, here are just 4 pictures of what has happened recently.

Eden Rose celebrated her 7th birthday on September 29th.  We had her party on the 31st.

She had pizza for dinner and ice cream cake for dessert.  The movie she picked to watch that night was The Robe.

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Judah-man.  He is so precious.  I have SO many pictures of him that I would love to show you, but, I can only share 2.

Judah's smiling now!  Just today he smiled at me at least 5 times!  In this photo he is cracking a smile at Hannah.  

Isn't he so precious? :)

He still hasn't figured out that he's supposed to:  sleep, eat, play, and repeat the process.  He doesn't like sleeping unless someone is holding him.  At night he does very well, but something about the daytime...

Anyways, you're probably wondering how I managed to get 4 photos on the blog when I've been complaining that I haven't been able to.  Well, I used Picasa Web Albums.  The only problem with Picasa being that I've completely used up all of the space on my account, so, in order to upload more photos to Picasa (and then the blog) I have to go and delete (read slowly) picture...after....picture...after...picture.  Not fun.  Anyways, I guess that is my first prayer request.

#1:  That our blog will be healed and that I will be able to upload photos in an easy, convenient way.  I started this blog (among other reasons) to glorify Christ in our everyday lives and if the pictuers aren't working, there has to be a reason.  I'm thinking that right now the Lord wants me to focus on something else right now.  

That brings me to my 2nd prayer request:  On Saturday (October 9th) I'm photographing my 2nd wedding.  Whew...I got it out! :)  I don't like telling lots of people about it, but I need people to pray for me and the only way to let people do that is...shock...to tell them what my prayer requests are! :)  I'm so grateful that the couple that are going to be getting married are so much fun and very laid-back.

This prayer request has many smaller prayer requests associated with it.  I'll just list them off to you, to make it easy! :)

#1.  For me to think clearly and quickly.  If I don't think clearly I will miss out on some pictures that I'll never get a chance to capture for the couple again.  Oh, and I can't let myself think "what if I miss..." or I'll start stressing out. :)

#2.  For me not to get flustered or overwhelmed when some pictures don't come out pretty, or just from the pressure of being the only photographer to try and capture their wedding day (a day they'll never have again).  I'm quite the fretter and I put tons of pressure on myself...that's just me.  So I've really been focusing on not stressing out and the Lord has given me a great peace.  It's really quite wonderful!  Just pray that that peace will extend throughout the entire wedding day! :)

#3.  For me to enjoy myself and to smile, smile, smile constantly.  I want to be happy!  If I'm overwhelmed I will be quite the bear to manage and when I'm a bear I don't think clearly and quickly and everything gets messed up.  I hate being unhappy...it's a most terrible disease.  Plus, who wants a grumpy photographer at their wedding?  I mean, really?  So, pray that I'm overflowing with joy and smiling constantly!!!  (And I don't mean a cheesy, fake smile but a smile that can only come from a joyful heart that is enjoying every moment the Lord gave her.)

#4.  For anything and everything I do on their wedding day to be glorifying to the Lord.  This goes along with the grumpy prayer request.  Jesus is the only one who can give real peace and joy and if I'm displaying anything other than that, I miss out on the chance to be a "city set on a hill," to any unbelievers that might be there. 

#5.  That I won't give into pressure of what other people might think of me or my pictures.  I'm always scared that people will hate my pictures and that none of my photos will come out right. 

#6.  That I can edit the photos I take, quickly and nicely and get them to the couple before 1 months' time.  As you may have noticed, I tend to take lots of pictures.  Weddings are no exception.  My first wedding I took over 700.  So, getting all of those pictures edited and onto CD's will take awhile.  :)  Any prayers for the editing process would be greatly appreciated also!  [I don't think this blog will see me again until I finish editing all those photos!!!]

#7.  For none of my equipment to malfunction.  I most definitely do not have an extra camera or wide-angle lens hanging out around here, so they absolutely cannot break down.  They just can't.

  I would greatly appreciate any prayers offered up on my behalf!  Even if you only remember to pray once, I will still be so grateful.  Knowing that everyone who reads this blog will pray at least once makes me covered in prayers!  And, if you're vacuuming or doing anything on Saturday and happen to think of me...just stop and say another little prayer for me, if you can.   I would be so grateful!

By the way, the wedding starts at 2 P.M. but I'll probably be at church around 12ish.  :)

Anyways, thank you (ahead of time) for praying for me.  I'm so excited about Saturday - and I want to stay that way! :) :)

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Matthew 21:22

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"

Philippians 4:6

(this is a good one for me!)

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

James 5:16 

I can't wait to come back from the wedding excited and overflowing with joy at how the Lord answered my (and your) prayers!!!!! :)

Delighting in Jesus,
Kimber :)

Updates

"Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise;"

Genesis 49:8

It has been awhile since I last posted, so I wanted to share some pictures of Judah that I took last week.

Judah is finding out how his tongue works! ;)

Oh, isn't he absolutely precious?  I could just eat him up! :)

Lydia loves Judah to death!  She pets his head and absolutely loves "holding" him! :)

"Hey there!"--- "wha sup, bro"

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The other day I was out taking pictures of Alexis for her 13th birthday, when Daddy called me over to see a lizard that he had found.

Sadly, I didn't have my micro lens on so I couldn't get him up close!  He still is cute from a distance though! ;)

Speaking of Lexi's 13th birthday, her party on Saturday went very well.  That post will be coming next!

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Now for a fun story!

I was in the schoolroom this afternoon, peacefully doing my grammar (we started school on Monday) when Caleb comes over nonchalantly and wraps a string around my neck...twice.  I thought about removing the string quickly and then pummeling Caleb but I restrained myself and thought "oh, I'll just let Caleb have some fun."  Great idea, Kimber.  I loosened the string a little bit, when he pulled on it to make sure it was tight enough, and then continued with memorizing prepositions (not much fun...I've been trying to make up a song to memorize all 50! :).  Then grammar time was over for me, so I got up, looked slyly at Caleb and started walking out the room.  I was all smug thinking "ha!  I've got his string now and there's nothing he can do to stop me."  As I was walking out of the schoolroom I looked  back over my shoulder at Caleb.  He's just sitting near the school counter, smiling at me.  (I was shocked that he hadn't attacked me yet!)  Still feeling good about myself I walk into the room where we store our grain, when all of a sudden that string cinched around my neck so tight that I involuntarily walked back towards the schoolroom...whereupon it loosened considerably.  When I make it into the schoolroom, I was like "What, what happened?" and Caleb and Seth are chuckling their little heads off.  I look around the room and then pick up the string that had now fallen off from around my neck and look at it.  Then I understood....

In our schoolroom we have 2 lines of string that span the distance of the room for hanging our clothes on in the wintertime.  Well, Caleb had detached one end of the strings, wrapped it around my neck and left the other end of the string still attached to the hook on the wall.  So, when I got up thinking that "I've got this" the string was cinching tighter and tighter around my neck as I walked out the room.  When I had reached the end of the rope's length the string tightened enough to stop me in my tracks, and then the knot Caleb had tied around my neck gave and the string unwound, allowing me to breathe again.  ;)  Trust me, I wasn't hurt.  I was actually amazed that Caleb could think up something like that and act it out so smoothly without me running away from the bait.

Ah, I love my brothers!

What would this world be like if we didn't have little brothers to play tricks on us?  It would be quite a boring place! :)

Delighting in Jesus,
Kimber :)

Lexi and Caleb's B-day Party and an Update on Judah

"And I thought to inform you..."

Ruth 4:4a

Before I get into Lexi and Caleb's birthday party, I wanted to do a quick update on Judah!

Before dinner on Friday night, Mama came down for the first time since having Judah!  We like to have Mama stay upstairs for a few days, so she can have some bonding time with the baby.  It also helps her relax and recover after the labor and delivery.  

Coming down the stiars.

And she's down!  Judah actually looked at the camera for this picture - I was so proud of him! ;)

But on to Lexi and Caleb's birthday party.

Mama made it downstairs about 30 seconds before the Nice's arrived!  They stayed for about an hour, held the baby, played outside, and split some wood (thanks guys! :) before leaving! :)  Then we ate dinner that consisted of steak, mashed potatoes, greenbeans, sugar snap peas, and buttermilk rolls!  Caleb had picked out this meal for his birthday, so we were celebrating his birthday that night.  (We also celebrated Lexi's birthday that night...)

After dinner, Caleb and Lexi opened their presents.

A knife!  (By the way, Caleb loves this thing! :)

A fuzzy blanket for Alexis.  

Lexi is the cold-blooded one in our family, so anything fluffy and extremely warm is her favorite thing! :)

Candy for Caleb....

...and Alexis! :)

More candy for Caleb! :)

Tissue paper! :)

Finally it was time for ice cream cake!

Caleb's cake this year was layered (from the bottom up):

Oreo ice cream

Crushed Oreos

Vanilla ice cream

Homemade whipped cream (a.k.a. Cool Whip in our family)

Blowing out the candles.

After everyone got a piece of cake, we piled onto the sofas and watched Facing the Giants before going to bed.  So, that ended Caleb's birthday party!  Even though we let Lexi open her presents on Caleb's birthday party, we still let her pick out her own movie to watch on the next night (Saturday).  She decided on Ben Hur - a family favorite!  The movie was so long (3 hours and 42 minutes or something) that we only watched the first half.  The last half of the movie was watched on Sunday night.  Lexi also has her big 13th birthday party coming up on Saturday.  We've been planning what food we're going to buy and everything - we're excited! :)

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Is anyone enjoying this beautiful weather, like I am?  I absolutely love Fall!  (I know it isn't officially Fall yet, but it feels awful close!)

Mama has been taking Judah outside to get his "Vitamin D" from the lovely sun and to enjoy that crisp breeze.

It's been wonderful. :)

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On another random note, Caleb built a block tower last night while he was playing with Lydia.  He wanted me to take some pictures of it, so here they are:

It's amazing that this tower stood for so long with Lydia in the room! ;)

So there you go - another little update on the Wassenbergs!

Today the Huizingas came over to visit little Judah. They brought some delicious Texas Toast and a french apple pie!

Tomorrow, Lydia and Judah are going to a doctors' appointment.

And, hopefully, we'll start school before it's winter! :)

Delighting in Jesus,
Kimber :) :)

P.S. - To any and all who have sent their congratulations on Judah's birth - THANK YOU!!!  It is so wonderful to have another little brother! 

Judah Update

"And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah..."

Genesis 29:35

Well, I thought it was about time to update all of you on little Judah!

Here are some pictures and some updates:

Na-naw holding Judah the morning he was born.

 Hannah and Judah.

Judah and I (Hannah chopped off my head in this picture...but in her defense I wasn't cooperating! :)

Lexi and Judah.

When Mama went into hard labor Tuesday morning Lexi was away at Na-naw's house, for her birthday shopping.  Lexi had planned on being at the birth, but Mama went so fast that Lexi and Na-naw showed up around 30 minutes after Judah arrived.  Lex was really disappointed but now she's enjoying Judah as much as she can!  

I must admit, that I do not have a picture of Caleb holding Judah.  I'm sorry - maybe one day I'll get a picture of him and Judah! :)

Seth with Judah.

I've been shocked at how much Seth loves to hold Judah.  He's constantly asking!  He'll definitely be a great Daddy one day...he just loves Judah to death! :)  (We all do!)

Weedels and Judah.

Once again, I do not have a picture of Judah and Josiah...I think Josiah's only held him twice.

Lydia and Judah.

Lydia had some help "holding" Judah because, of course, when she would be done holding him she'd probably throw him away like a baby doll.  But, in her defense, she loves Judah so much!  She's always asking about "baby" and "I brush baby hair," etc.  She's a great big sister!

Judah was given his first "bath" on the day he was born!  He slept through practically the whole thing, though he didn't like being cleaned with a washcloth! :)

Hannah was the one who got to give Judah his first bath.  She did great!

(Lexi also helped and I...well...took pictures!)

Daddy and Judah sleeping. 

I think that we have a picture of Daddy sleeping with every baby!

Isn't he so precious?

Before Mama had Judah, everybody guessed what day they thought "baby" would arrive on.  Josiah picked September 5th, and we all thought he was crazy because he picked such a "late" date (after all Mama *always* goes early).  Well, 'Siah proved us all wrong!  He was the closest guess to Judah's actual birthdate!  So, as a prize, he got a huge peppermint patty.  As you can tell, he's excited about that! :)

Later Tuesday night, we celebrated Judah's birth by lighting some candles and singing Happy Birthday to him.  Hannah, Alexis, and I had made up this cake a few days before in preparation for his birth.  For every home-birth Mama has had we've started a tradition of baking a cake on the baby's birth-day to celebrate his/her arrival!  :)

Judah was a bit more interested in sleeping than in a cake. :)

Later that night, Mr. Jon came over and held Judah too!

Mama has been staying in "the girls room" ever sine Judah arrived.  She and Daddy have been sleeping in our room, and us 3 girls (Hannah, Alexis, and myself) have slept in their room.

We've also been eating every meal up in our room too, so we can be with Mama.  (Plus, it's always fun eating somewhere other than the norm! ;) 

Caleb relaxing in our room.

Judah puckering up his lips! :)

There!  A picture of Judah with his eyes *slightly* open! :)  He's also has that Buddha-belly look! :)

Lexi's birthday was on Wednesday (September 8th), so we celebrated her birthday a day after Judah's!

And, just for a fun fact, Caleb's birthday is the 9th of September, so we have 3 birthday in a row!  (The 7th, 8th, and 9th!)

Lexi had Farmer's Crepes, Toaster Strudels, and O.J. for breakfast!  It was very yummy!

Lexi icing her toaster strudel.

We've been *slightly* distracted with Judah's arrival so we're celebrating Caleb and Lexi's birthday tonight and tomorrow night.

After breakfast Wednesday morning Aunt Mae-Mae came over to see Judah.  Mae-Mae had just had her own baby exactly a week before!  She had a boy and they named him Asher Micaiah and he is 1 lb. smaller than Judah!  :)  In the picture above Judah is on the left, and Asher is on the right.

For another fun fact, we now have 2 of the tribes of Israel....Asher and Judah...only 10 more to go! :)

Wednesday afternoon Grandma, Grandpa, and Mr. and Mrs. Cook came to visit, we love visitors!

Grandma and Grandpa brought dinner - hot dogs, hamburgers, and mac 'n cheese.  Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

Mrs. Cook and Judah.

Mr. and Mrs. Cook became friends with Grandpa and Grandpa when they were living in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  (Grandpa was in the Navy.  Daddy and Uncle Greg were only around 8-12 years old.).  The Cooks now live in Florida, but they were on their way to visit Grandpa and Grandma the day after Judah was born.  So they stopped by Wednesday afternoon and it was so nice to see them (I hadn't seen them in forever!).

Lexi opened one of her birthday presents on Wednesday, since Grandma brought her birthday cake.

(We are celebrating Lexi's birthday with friends and family at Lavender Fields on September 18th.)

Caleb reading his birthday card a day early.

Grandma lighting Lexi's birthday cake.

Lexi's birthday cake was angel food cake, strawberries, Cool Whip, and strawberry juice.  It was yummy!

Lexi and the huge birthday cake!

Blow, Lexi, blow!

Before we ate Lexi's cake most of us went on a walk to our neighboring horse farm.  Ms. Tara was there, so we got to see all of her horses!  They were so beautiful!  :) 

Grandpa and Grandma, Mr. and Mrs. Cook left later that night.

On Thursday, our neighbor (and Mr. Jon bearing dinner) came over to see Judah and today the Nice's came over!  :)

But back to a few more pictures:

I absolutely love how perfectly designed babies hands and feet are.  They are so tiny, and yet, so perfect! :) 

Yes, I am enjoying my micro lens! :)

And the last picture for this post! :)

So there was a quick update!  

Kimber :)