Give Thanks

I am thankful for the sky. Most people probably don't know why blue is my favorite color. It has everything to do with the sky. I love how the sky isn't just blue. I feel as if its shade shows its emotion. I love how the sky turns a dark blue grey when a storm is rolling in and how the sky can even be a happy shade of blue or tired shade of blue. I love how the clouds do there own thing as well. The crisp white color pops off of the beautiful blue sky. They can sometimes look confused, busy, or even mad. I feel as if I am a lot like the sky. I try to remember that no matter what storm consumes me and no matter how many clouds cloud my view, my color shows that I know that the sun will still come out tomorrow. We all have our denim days, our indigo nights, our cerulean mornings and our cornflower afternoons but we are still blue. The sky is always reminding me of that. Not to mention how I am in awe of its beauty constantly. My sky is always changing but no matter where I am standing or when that is, sooner or later the sun will come out and God's glory will shine through the sky once again.

(These are some AMAZING photos from my friend and neighbor Maryanne. These are from right here on campus!) I wanted to show sky pics from on campus b/c I was thinking about this on my walk tonight :)

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

I am thankful for play group. This semester I started up a play group with hopes that it would become something that moms and there kids look forward to each month. Today was our most sucessful play group yet! We had 10 moms and 15 kids under the age of 3! Three of the moms that were there today are expecting as well! Almost all of the moms and kids that were there today live right here on campus! Play group has been a great time for me to visit with other moms and for my kids to play. Today was beautiful and we played at the playground for a couple of hours. I hope even more moms will join our group and be blessed by the time together!

What are you thankful for today?

Saturday Fun!

Saturday morning we made a quick trip to Canton! We were so busy we forgot to take a picture so here is the group! Even though it was short, we had a great time!



Saturday afternoon Aunt Debbie, Uncle Jimmy and Krystal got to come and see us! I was SO excited to get to see you all. Isn't she beautiful? :)



It was a beautiful day. We enjoyed visiting outside.



Aww.

Just Krystal and Me. That is the way it usually was. We have shared many a nights up talking together. I love you!!

Saturday was a very full, but very fun day. I got up early and a few friends and I headed to Canton to shop! I had a commitment for later in the afternoon so our shopping was short but the visit was great! I will have to go back soon though with no time limit! Later that afternoon Aunt Debbie, Uncle Jimmy, and Krystal came to see us! They delivered a new dresser that Uncle Jimmy had built. Thanks again! We love it!!

Thanks for coming to see us. We already miss you.

Give Thanks

I have decided to try something new for the month of November. I love all the things that the beginning of November brings. Today is All Saints Day, we have multiple family birthdays in November, of course Thanksgiving is in November, and Christmas and all its festivities are right around the corner! Ryne and I are constantly being loved on and encouraged and we are SO thankful for that. I hope that I will always remember to be Thankful for what the Lord has done and not just on Thanksgiving. That is why I am going to try to post something I am thankful for each day in November!
I feel as if too often I can get caught up in the "holiday season" and I miss some of the little things that really make life special. I hope I can always look back at these posts and be reminded of this time in our lives and how God is and has been working in our lives. Maybe others will even get a blessing too!
So today...
I am thankful that my children have clothes for the "Winter". I kept getting frustrated because there is a big box of clothes that is sitting in my living room floor. Just a few weeks ago I was thinking about how Riley really needed some more Winter clothes because she was outgrowing them all. Then, by complete coincedence i'm sure :) someone gave me a box full of clothes for Riley! Istead of praising God for his provision I got frustrated with the "extra work" that the box in my living room floor represents. I remember when my mom worked at the Elementary school, there would be many children that couldn't play outside because they did not have a coat. My kids have more than one, atleast. Isn't it funny how we do things like that sometimes. I am thankful that I have clothes for my children and that God always provides.

Daily Dose of Love

It is so impressive to me how God can reveal his love in so many different ways. I am so thankful that my God is continuously placing people in my life that uplift me and encourage me. That is how I feel about my friend Angie. What started out as an attempt to lose some baby weight, has turned into a daily dose of love. (well, almost daily)

This is a typical evening for Ang and I. We walk two to three miles almost every evening. Pushing my double stroller is quite the workout and Miss Alivia is getting bigger each day too! We will often times take turns with the double so that we can each have a turn at the beast! Ha. Not only do I miss the exercise when we are unable to go (such as today because of the rain) I will miss our visits too. True to our gender, we talk about everything from clothes, and babies, to religion and relationships. We plan showers and parties, talk about homework and dinner. One thing that makes Angie so special is that she is one of four daughters as well.

I remember her telling me that until she came to LeTourneau, she never really had friends. She didn't need them. She was home schooled, and lived in Africa for a couple of years with her family, and that was all that she needed. Her sisters were her best friends. Then came John, her husband, and therefore had never had to experience the incredible love of a friend. However, then John was in training for the military for almost 6 months and Ang was here in Texas, pregnant and away from her family and needed friends. This past year has been a time of much growth for her family and for mine. At first glance that may seem sad, but when she told me that I thought "the love and bond that she has with her sisters is the sweetest story of love that I have ever heard." We tell each other we are each others sisters because we are both away from our sisters whom we love and miss so much.

I know that one day our walks will come to an end and one day, we wont live just steps away from each other, but for now, my daily dose of love from Ang (not to mention a little exercise too) has become a favorite part of my days.

Thanks for all the love girl! Hopefully this rain will clear up and we can hit the pavement again tomorrow! Tonight, I missed it.

Mascara

Miss Riley attempted to put on some of Mommy's mascara yesterday! It was semi cute until she did it a second time later that evening. Oh and if you cant tell, she did get some on her eyelashes :) However, I think it will be a while longer before we try that again...

Cheap Tent

This is Ethan. The little boy that I watch. I just thought it was too funny! The kids were upset when Ryne had to put his legs down! Haha

A Tea for Emma

Group Shot



The table. (the "e" isn't quite finished)



All the Yummy treats!



We even had "real" china. It was beautiful!

We played a game where everyone dressed up for the Tea Party!

These were our beautiful models!

Ang, Christie, Kayla, and me.

We had such a great time at our friend Christie's shower. We decided to throw a tea party for her and Miss Emma Mae. Everything looked beautiful. My friend Kayla is SUPER crafty. I have learned a lot from her! I can't wait to meet Miss Emma!

Alivia Faith Dedication

Praying over Miss Alivia



The Bartel Family



Look at that grin



Afterwards we all went to eat at Little Mexico!

Alivia loved the cross that Riley and Sam got her!

John and Angie, we are so excited that we could be with you guys on such a special day. We love Alivia and you guys so much! We will continue to pray for you guys and Alivia Faith. She is such a special little girl.

Pumpkin Carving

This is our college student budget of a pumpkin patch :)

Riley even helped me.

The final product.... A "Bergren" pumpkin!

I don't know where she gets it.....

This past Saturday Married Housing had there annual Pumpkin Carving. Ryne and I are still border line about how we feel about pumpkin carving in association with Halloween; however, we did decide to participate in the event and carve a beautiful (and difficult) Bergren pumpkin.

However, one thing that I am very sure of is my views on Halloween. My family never celebrated Halloween and now that I am a parent I am even more sure of that decision. Don't get me wrong, I love having fun, candy, and all of the adorable outfits, but you will not be seeing us in costumes. I do hope, though, that everyone enjoys these last few weeks of Fall. It wont be long before Christmas is here!!! (I think we are going to decorate early this year. YAH!)

Having some fun

The two older kids LOVE it when I say it is time to wake Sam and Emma up!
Can you tell?


We have been bundleing up to play outside. It has been such a fun change! Now we just need more Winter clothes.



"Mom, another picture? Really?"

"Mommy, what does Danger, Keep out, mean?"

Big blue eyes!

We have been super busy lately but we have also been having lots of fun! We love this cooler weather and we love having some new friends to play with!

Date night

Ryne and I are so fortunate to be able to spend some time together just the two of us. We snuck out of the house for Ryne to get a bite to eat and me to have dessert! (coffee) We are finding that dates where we just get to spend time together and talk are the best dates of all!

When daddy dresses Riley...