Just always check for safety pins first

My cousin David gave me my very fist Christmas present. I was in AWE of how big the box was and had no idea what could be inside!

Mom said we should take a picture first, but how can I wait? I mean, it is a really big box!

And, here it is: My very first homemade bed complete with a pillow. But, remember, always check for the safety pins first before laying down on it according to my cousin David.

We came up with a few other perhaps safer uses for it too.

A cup holder

A guitar

A drum

Any ideas from you?

And many more

Thanks Cousin David for the very thoughtful and VERY creative first Christmas present!

Fits me like a glove. . . or a sock

My Oma made me my very first stocking, turns out that the thing ended up being a little big. I decided to try it on for size. I can't wait until this gets filled up with gifts for me. :)

I'm thinking of being a mermaid for Halloween next year.

What do you think?

A few different looks

The relaxed look

Mom, you don't have to worry. I will not fall. And, no Mom, I will not wear a helmet while I sit in a chair.



Just hanging out. . .

On my goodness, my feet!

(Sorry, I got a little distracted)

Thanks for your help Dad!

I appreciate your steady hand.

Merry Christmas!

No, I will not look at the camera.

Nice shirt Dad!

(Sorry, distracted again!)

And, Happy Birthday Papa!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Hope you have a great day!

Zeke and the vegetable

Am I ever going to get some real food around this place?

So, I think Zeke might be getting ready to start some "real" food. He is showing tons of interest in what we are eating at the table and reaching for it all.

Honestly, I am just not quite sure I am ready for my baby to eat anything else except breast milk. It feels like I have to admit he is growing up, and I'm not quite ready to admit that~

He REALLY wanted this pan of brownies that my friend Rebekah made for us.

Come on Dad! Just a little won't hurt me.
(Don't worry, we didn't give him any.)

The difference between Danny and Me

I took a few psychology classes in college, but not enough to really know what I am talking about. Danny made me breakfast the other morning for my birthday and I had to snap a picture.

Don't you think the difference between how we eat pancakes has to say something about us? Can you guess which plate is whose?

Plate #1=?
Plate #2=?

I need a little help here. . .

Does anyone know how to get my aunt to stop kissing me?

She must really like me or something. And, I am kidding. I love that she can't stop kissing me. I love her too! And, with all those kisses, she is probably helping me train for my visit from my Aunt Katie from Washington in January! She is coming to see me for the very first time and we are VERY excited!

Some things that make me smile. . .

My boys reading a book in their PJs
The water bottle I got when Zeke was readmitted to the hospital with a high jaundice level. A super cool nurse wrote MOM on it before she gave it to me.
And, it made me smile then and makes me smile now too.

Thankful, very thankful. . .

There is so many things I am thankful for. Really, I am overwhelmed.

God is good, He is SO good! I'm super thankful for this amazing little boy I get the chance to take care of each and every day! Um, actually, I take care of him at night too when he decides he needs a cuddle from Mom.
I'm thankful for my husband's safe return from Africa. I'm thankful for his amazing trip and experience and the amazing friends he got the
chance to meet while learning about the amazing country and people of Africa.
I bet you didn't think a person could use amazing that much, did you?

And, I really want to learn to carry my babies like they do. Isn't it amazing?

I'm also thankful I am not the one that has to drive this truck. I mean, really, only in Africa.

I'm also SO thankful for:

• Grandparents in MT
• G-pa in Taiwan
• Lots of awesome (bet you thought I was going to use amazing :) Uncles and Aunts all over the place
• Lots of super fun cousins
• Amazing (there it is again) Friends!
• God
• So much more (don't worry, I will stop, I could go on forever)

I had the chance in a bible study to write down everything I am thankful from from A to Z. and, guess what, it was easy. I was almost bummed when the alphabet ran out of letters. I have SO much to be thankful for in my life.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

When Dad was in Africa. . .

First, I was a little bummed that Dad seemed to disappear. Everyone kept saying he went to Africa. Where is Africa?Then, I was so SURPRISED when Grandpa and Grandma showed up! We had SO much fun! I think they might like me!

And, I think I like them. Actually, I love them!

Thanks so much for coming Dad and Mom! We had so much fun (even visiting relatives) and got so much work done too. Thanks for the amazing visit and for our your work to help us out! We love you!


Bye Grandpa and Grandma! I miss you already

P.S. Photos courtesy of Judy DeJong Cuff Photography :)

Off to Africa!!

So. . . after a very busy week with less than 2 hours of sleep in last two days, Danny is on his way to Africa!!!! We drove to Fargo this morning at 2:30am. He will then fly first to Minneapolis, then onto Seattle, then to Paris, and finally arrive in Chad!

Please pray for Danny and the team for safe travel!

Pray that Danny is able to get some sleep on the plane.

Pray for me as I miss my husband!

Thanks! I will keep you updated as I hear from Danny.

(And, I did inform him that communication with your wife at

least once during a mission trip to Africa

was something that was expected by me!!!!

WE WILL MISS YOU DAD!

WE LOVE YOU!!

Hope you have an amazing experience that challenges you and teaches you even more about our awesome God!

A cute Pumpkin Bear

Getting Bigger

Our little boy turns 4 months old tomorrow!

I can't believe it.

Here are a few pictures to show you how he is growing!

Here I am at about 2 months old! Here I am at 3 months old!

And, finally, the day before I turn 4 months old! I am getting huge!


And Strong too!

More pictures

My co-workers threw a Meet and Greet Party for Zeke a

few weeks back. One of them took a bunch of pictures, and I wanted

to share them! I think they are pretty cute.

I'm Flying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quit taking pictures of me already!

Visiting Hannah

Zeke's Day with Cousin Hannah

Yesterday, Danny and I had the chance to drive to Fargo/Moorhead and watch the movie Fireproof on a date! This is something that has been somewhat of a memory since the introduction of Mr. Ezekiel. :)

It was an awesome movie and thanks to everyone who recommended it!

Danny's brother and his wife live there and were kind enough to watch Zeke for us while we got away for a few hours. It was also fun as Zeke's cousin Hannah is three days older so it is great to see them together.

I was excited for some adult conversation and the possibility of a game night.

In reality, we mostly talked about our kids.

Actually, we talked about our kids before dinner, during dinner, and after dinner. We then talked about playing games again, but instead sat around and watched Hannah and Zeke interact while attempting to get them to smile or at least look at each other. And, honestly, I wouldn't have changed anything about the night.

Our lives have changed with the introduction of this little man Zeke

and I am one happy mama! :)

We were trying to see if Zeke and Hannah are now about the same length. Instead, Zeke thought it would cool if he pretended like he was jumping. Boys!

Our next brilliant plan was to take some pictures with the kids looking at each other. So, I practically sat Zeke directly on top of Hannah. As you can see, it really wasn't working.

It is almost like they are saying here:
"I will not look at him/her. You can't make me!"

And, this video makes me laugh the most. Shana and I are both "talking" for our kids. I'm sure it will be the first of many times when I tell Zeke what I think he should say. Sorry Zeke

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Grandma! Hope you have an amazing day and we can't wait to see you in a little less than a month.

I love you!

Love,

Zeke

Happy Anniversary Grandpa and Grandma!

This is to my parents (Mandy's).
Hope you guys are having a blast in NYC!
See you in November!

Check this out! It is for you!
http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbid=751198

Meeting Friends!

HAPPY THREE MONTHS ZEKE!!!

Zeke turned three months old on Tuesday. It is hard to imagine life without him now. Oh yes but wait, it is slowly coming back to me. It is kinda a fuzzy memory but it involves sleep. Yep, at one time, I do recall sleeping all the way through the night. :) But, honestly, I wouldn't trade a day (or night) or it. He's a keeper.

____________________________________

But, Zeke did the chance to meet a friend today. Eli was born two days after Zeke although I think he was actually due more than a month before Zeke. Eli is still a little bigger, but it will be fun to see the boys as they continue to grow.

It was super fun to put the boys next to each other and try to get them to smile. I have also found out that my next profession will definitely not involve becoming a professional photographer of moving objects. Man, it is hard. I better stick to my day job of wife, mom and OT.

I promise, he was smiling and enjoying himself. :)


Here's some video of the boys meeting as well as Zeke talking to his "friends". I mean what is a guy to do when he is an only sibling. :)
On a side, please try to ignore the rather annoying voice in the background. I'm still not too sure who that person is. . .but they sure sound like a dork on these videos.

My husband's muscles

Today, Danny was explaining to me the numerous activities he completes while attempting to keep himself awake at work. He works at a company that does quality assurance on phone calls. Basically, he listens to recorded phone calls from 3pm to midnight every night. He is amazing as I'm sure I would stay awake for about two minutes of this activity. I wanted to give you an update of our conversation. I thought it was funny, I hope you do too.

Danny: So, I figured out how to say awake at work. I stand like this to keep myself awake. (he demonstrates a half squatting posture)

Mandy: Umm honey, do people see you doing that?

Mandy: Well, that is actually a good workout for you so you can become buff. Uh, not that you aren't already buff honey.

Danny: Yeah (pulling up his sleeve) Look at my MUSCLES!

Danny: (He pauses and says in surprise) Wow, that is actually bigger than I thought it would be.

Mandy: (unable to comment because she was laughing too hard)

Saturday morning at the Bronsons

So, Zeke has been thinking that he looks pretty handsome every time he sees himself in a mirror. And, honestly, I have to agree with him. This morning, I decided we should take a family picture using the mirror. Zeke must not have liked his outfit because he wasn't smiling at himself. And, please don't notice the toothpaste spots on the mirror. Anyway, just wanted to show you our excitement on a Saturday morning. :)