an update

its been a long time since we graced the pages of our own blog! naomi is now a few days away from 7 months old! i don't know where the time went. i feel like ethan and i just brought her home. naomi is babbling up a storm. she sings along during the music at church and, we discovered, christmas plays! she rolls everywhere and is pulling herself up to start to crawl when she feels like it. she can sit by herself pretty well. she laughs and smiles all the time. naomi is very observant, she takes time looking at things and people, we can tell she is learning. we started naomi on solids at six months. she now eats quite a lot: applesauce, avocado, yams, pureed peas, squash, bananas and rice cereal! she is teething and we expect her to cut two teeth any day now. she had her first halloween dressed as a ladybug fairy, she loved eating her dress! we are excited to share christmas with her for the first time.

ethan is still working for princess bride cinematic video as an editor. he spends his days there making beautiful wedding videos. he had the opportunity to help shoot a jewish wedding last weekend (there is a picture of him here with a yamukkah on!) which he thoroughly enjoyed. he's looking forward to more chances to shoot weddings in the new year. ethan is very involved with the independent film scene here in minneapolis. he's spent many weekends this fall working on independent films and with minnewood, an organization that promotes and facilitates local film makers. he also works several days a week as a valet at st. joseph's hospital in st. paul. and now that winter is here, ethan can be found clearing snow outside our apartment building where we caretake.

i am thoroughly enjoying caring for naomi. i've been able to be at home since she was born and i'm really loving it. God has given me a real peace to know that for right now this is where he wants me. i count it a privilege to be able to spend this time with her, and i'm thankful to God for his continued provision that allows me to do so.

we were thrilled to have my dear friend jennifer come from scotland to visit for three weeks, we had such a lovely time catching up and just living life together. naomi loved "auntie jen" and spent much time in absolute entertainment. she was such an encouragement to me and just brought joy into our lives! thanks for coming jen!

we continue to be involved in our church of almost 5 years, church in uptown. we have seen the most growth in this past year than any of the other years we've been attending. there has been a lot of time spent on church community events such as meals and trips to apple orchards, it is growing us all closer together. we started the first round of smallgroups this fall and hope to be apart of the smallgroups that will be starting in the new year. there is also talk of adding a second service. it will be exciting to see what God does.

my parents have taken a trip back to scotland to tie up some things with the non-profit/charity my dad started and to seek medical care. we covet your prayers as my mum was diagnosed with cancer and started treatment last week. please pray for healing and protection of her healthy organs/cells as she undergoes both radiation and chemo.

my brother sam will be spending christmas with us in minneapolis this year. we are excited to host christmas for the first time and start our own traditions. look for more posts as we head into christmas, lots of great photo opportunities. hopefully, i'll be able to get naomi to sit still so you can see her in her christmas dress!