Hello Friends and Family! Upon reading many of my friends blogs and really enjoying it, I have decided to embark on the journey of blogging as well. I hope to keep up with it and share with you what is currently going on in our lives. To start, I would like to take a look back on 2010 as we are heading into 2011. Here we go!
We rang in and welcomed 2010 with our closest friends at the Knapp home. What a FUN night that was! Towards the end of January we went up to Lake Geneva and stayed at the Schwartz' house for a couples retreat, with those same great friends. It was a wonderful time getting to know everyone better and kicking off our small group, studying Love and Respect. We also celebrated with David & Joei and Ryan & Alison on the news of their babies on the way due in September! We are so thankful for these friendships!
After praying, for what seemed like forever, for Dan to receive a promotion at Calamos, the LORD answered those prayers! We received the good news on February 15th that he would be promoted to the Internal roll and support the Dallas and Minnesota territories. Praise God! We had to constantly remind ourselves in the months prior that God's timing is perfect and to trust in Him. We had learned through our Crown financial study 2 years ago that God is owner of all and ultimately in control of every event in our lives, even when to get promoted in our jobs! 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 After reviewing our finances, we made the decision that Dan could then quick working his second job at Costco, and we could go back to having a normal life only working 40 hours a week and not 65! Thank you Jesus!
March came with celebrating my dad's 50th birthday, on the 5th, at Maggiano's. We had a great night teasing him of being a 1/2 century old, all in good fun!! We love you Dad! We also celebrated Dan's 27th birthday on the 31st and Brandon's 22nd b-day on April 3rd. Which brings me to talk about our 7 day vacation to Orlando, FL with our family, Mimi & Papa, and the Kressin family. We left on April 4th, Easter Sunday, and arrived at the camp ground for a delicious Easter dinner made by Mimi. Mmmm mmm good! We were so blessed to stay at one of A. Beth and U. Jeff's time shares in a beautiful 2 bedroom condo. Thank you thank you! We enjoyed family fun swimming at our resort, going to MGM Studios and Epcot, and Blizzard Beach. A much needed vacation!
On May 2nd i received the phone call you NEVER want to get. My mom had been in a serious car accident and was being rushed to the hospital. (As I write this, I can't help but get tears in my eyes) Dan and I quickly hop in the car and start heading towards the accident site, since we didn't know what hospital they would be taking her to. All the while fervently praying for my mom. As we get closer we see an ambulance approaching, so we turn around and start following it to St. Joe's hospital in Elgin. Although most of the day is a blur, I remember jumping out of the car and running over to the ambulance as they were getting mom out. Thank God she was conscious throughout all this and I tell her I'm here and hold her hand as they bring her into the ER. I notice shattered glass everywhere, blood, and doctors and nurses all around her. After a few minutes the nurses ask me to leave the room, as mom's blood pressure kept spiking and heart rate increasing. Mom had informed me though that Dad was at work and to try calling him. It took us a while to reach him, as his cell phone was off and no one was answering his work line. But, finally we did and he left the airport immediately. Dan made other phone calls, asking for prayer and Sean arrived not long after. Grandpa and Grandma Kressin came to hospital, as well as Cheri Carter, a friend from her Bible Study. We were told by nurses that mom was going to be ok, but they are going to do x-rays on her foot and ankle and other tests to check for internal bleeding. Come to find out, mom only had a broken left foot! Although, she did have bruising all over her body and was very sore in the weeks to come. She also then had problems with both knees and started physical therapy. As the story of the accident unfolded, we had to grasp the horrific news that she was hit head-on by a drunk driver at 12pm on a Sunday afternoon! As the months have gone by and going to see the totaled van, we look back and just praise our LORD Jesus Christ for sending his angels to protect our mom that day. Psalm 91:11 It is a true miracle she is alive and walking today! Mother's Day was very special this year!
June came along with warm days and celebrations of my 24th birthday, Mom Haskell's b-day, Our 3 year wedding anniversary, Sean's 19th b-day, and Fathers Day. A busy month!
On July 24th we found out the best news of our lives, we were going to have a baby! We went to the doctor 2 weeks later to confirm it with an ultrasound and find out our due date is March 22nd, 2011. We couldn't be more happy! We were then able to tell both of our parents as we went up to Rockford to celebrate Dad Haskell's 60th birthday on August 13th. Lets just say they were quite surprised! It was so fun to see their faces and reactions! We also told my brothers that night when we got home, and they were excited too! We told our bestest of friends that weekend as well, after us girls threw Alison her baby shower. They were beyond excited for us and had many hugs to give! Also in August, last minute, we decided to take a trip to San Diego, CA to celebrate being pregnant. We ended up flying into LA on a Monday morning and drove down the Pacific Coast Highway to San Diego, I've ALWAYS wanted to do that! We had a very fun, busy week going to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, Coronado Island, La Jolla Cove, and Mission Beach where we saw dolphins swim by!!
In September we celebrated my mom's birthday and also welcomed into this world Elliana Grace Martinez and Parker Ross Glendenning! What a fun month that was! In October Dan flew to Dallas for a week on business and I had an Arbonne party. We also got fall pictures taken by the amazing Chang2 Studios! Thanks guys!
On November 4th we had our 20 week ultrasound, and man was that the most AWESOME experience ever! To see our lil one so profoundly in my belly was so amazing. We captured a picture of him or her sucking its thumb and also raising its arms praising Jesus! =) Dan went on another business trip to Minnesota for a week, while I spent my time going from here to there and everywhere hanging out with friends and my family. Although I missed Dan a lot, I had a great week of fellowship! =) We were able to go to St. Louis again this year for our family Thanksgiving. We always look forward to this time with family, 18 of us to be exact!
Well, after November comes... December and wow has it been a busy month (so far!). Dan's role as an internal recently changed in that he now only supports the Minnesota territory, which he is thankful for. We pray the LORD continues to bless us in that. I no longer work at the office, so I have more time on my hands, which I have been thankful for too. It always seems to fill up though! I've been spending more time with friends, getting our house more organized for our baby to arrive, doing hair on the side as well as at the salon 2 days a week, and spending more time in God's Word then ever! It's been great! I've been reading the Bible in chronological order since July 15th and have been truly blessed by the readings each day. I've also found a new favorite verse- 1 Chronicles 16:23-27 Look it up!
So to close, and wow, I know this was a very LONG first post, but it was very fun to type it all out! We are looking forward to celebrating Christ's birth this CHRISTmas with our family and ringing in the new year with our closest friends. May you be filled by God's Love, Joy, Hope and Peace this holiday season!! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
With Love,
Dan & Kate and our lil one on the way! =)
