The Hartman House: February 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The view from here:

This was my view a few weeks ago. Praise the Lord most of those boxes are gone and we are settling in!

This view makes me so happy- She loves him so and is a great big sister- so helpful.

Nothing better than a view of a toasty warm fireplace!

This is the view I see when I sit in my favorite chair and nurse Gav. The snow is gone now and I'm glad for that!

This is my view when I rock Gav in his room

Two of my boys... Gavin's view is only for his daddy.

And this view is the best- Three of my kids, playing, a clean living room, the sun shining... God is good!

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

What a difference a month makes!

This was my little man just a short month ago.

TWO MONTHS! How did he get to be that big already??

At 8 weeks Gavin:

weighs 10lbs 7 oz and is 23.5 inches
had his first shots yesterday :(
smiles often and has a dimple on his left cheek!
LOVES his sister and brother and smiles at them most often
sleeps best when cuddled up on mommy or daddy's chest.
takes one good nap a day and then the rest of his naps are not so hot
goes to sleep around 7:30 or 8 every night and then eats around 10 and most usually sleeps till 1 or so, then eats every 2.5-3 hours
sleeps swaddled and loves to tuck his head under my chin when he gets sleepy (LOVE!)

Monday, February 10, 2014

We are in the middle of busy times... Just finishing up the holidays, a new baby, and a move (to where we lived when we were pregnant with Ella, Shane's not switching jobs). In my lack of sleep and post baby hormones, it's so easy to get wrapped up in the emotion of it all. I love this house. I love that my husband built it. I love that we have had all of our babies here and have brought three of them home here. I love my little flower bed in the back that I add and change around every year, still looking to have the "perfect"english garden. I love that I have three white peony bushes and one sweet pink one that represents my Ella. I love that our yard has hosted so many impromptu campfires with adults chatting and kids running crazy. I love that we know our neighbors and have a route that we walk on the warm days where we can chat with many of them. I love that I have a church body that challenges me and where my kids learn and grow every week. I love that I have so many great friends here. It's easy to be sad and mopey about it.

On Sunday in church we sang this song and it was the perfect reminder for me. (click to see it on youtube) He is with me EVERY day and we are in His hands. I will miss our house and friends but Praise Him - He goes before us. We are in His hands.

http://youtu.be/qOkImV2cJDg
*NOTE- I wrote this above when we were still in the process of moving. I let Shane read this before I posted it and he encouraged me. It's so easy to be sad and down and hate change (um, me?!) When I flip this around there are so many things to be hopeful for- I love our view from our new house. My kids love playing on the stairs. My family worshipped in a new church on Sunday and we enjoyed it. I am confident and excited about the blessings the Lord has given us and will continue to give us through this journey. I do believe that He goes with us and before us and I'm so glad He does!

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear?

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield
Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear?

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in your hands
I'm holding onto Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in your hands
I'm holding onto Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

Outro:

The God of angel armies is always by my side